Belarus Will Pay About $150 for Russian Gas in 2009

Alexander Surikov said in 1Q09 the price would fluctuate around $200, but then could change one way or the other: "Everything will depend on crude and oil derivatives prices."

Belarusian First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko previously said the average gas price for Belarus was expected at $148 per 1,000 cu m, but with oil prices falling below $50 per barrel, gas prices could be lower than the 2008 level ($128 per 1,000 cu m).

Belarus earlier requested that Russia cut gas prices due to the falling oil price on global markets.

Author: Ksenia Kochneva