Russia forgives Lukashenka debts again

Russia and Belarus have agreed on restructuring of the debt Belarus has due to underpayment for Russian gas.

This statement was made by Russian PM Vladimir Putin at a government meeting today, RIA Novosti reports.

“Belarus pays $244 per 1,000 cubic metres now. We have agreed with Belarus’s leadership on restructuring payments for the next year in view of the difficult situation in the Belarusian economy,” Putin said.

Gazprom earlier said Beltransgaz applied to the Russian giant in the third quarter asking for a delay of paying and had paid for gas $244.8 per 1,000 cubic metres, though the contracted price was $279. The amount of the accumulated debt was not specified.