Belarus claims to have paid gas debt

Belarus said Wednesday that it has paid off its entire debt to Russia.

Belarus demanded that Russia settle the $260 million debt that it purportedly owes for gas transit fees.

"At 16:00 [13:00 GMT] we, having borrowed $200 million, sent $187 million to pay off the debt," said Belarusian First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko.

Gazprom had put the debt at $192 million. As Wednesday passed, Gazprom has not confirmed the receipts of funds.

Semashko further said, "I demand that Gazprom pay [its debt of] $260 million by 10 a.m. [07:00 GMT Thursday], otherwise transit of hydrocarbon raw materials will be discontinued."

Belarus transit 6.25% of EU bloc gas supplies. Poland said on Wednesday it was receiving all its contracted gas, but EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger said Lithuania had only received half its daily gas deliveries on Wednesday.

Gazprom has now admitted it owes an unstated amount  money to Belarus for gas transits, saying it could not make the payments to settle the debt because Belarus not provided proper documentation.

Separately, Ukraine's energy minister assured the European Commission on Wednesday that the country has made its quarrels with Russia over gas supplies a thing of the past and they will never return.

"As for us and our Russian partners, I am confident we won't have any conflict in the future, as we have an absolutely transparent situation between us and our partner, Gazprom," Yuriy Boyko said after talks with EU Commissioner Oettinger.

Ukraine, the major coduit for Russian gas to Europe, has agreed provide additional gas transit to Europe if required.

The Belarus-Russia dispute brings back memories of last year's dispute between Russia and Ukraine, which lead to a large scale disruption of supplies to Europe in the dead of winter