Belarus cut-off ends
July 2, 2011
Russia has resumed electricity supplies to Belarus after cutting power to the country for almost four days owing to unpaid bills.
A statement posted on the Kremlin website said Russian President Dmitri Medvedev had ordered a resumption of supplies after Minsk "fulfilled its financial obligations."
Russia ceased power supplies last Wednesday after Belarus, which is facing a severe economic crisis, had failed to meet a second late payment deadline.
Minsk said on Friday it had now settled its latest bills of around 1.2 billion roubles (30 million euros) for supplies in April and May.
The cut did not significantly affect major cities, as the country receives only 12 percent of its electricity from Russia.
Series of spats
The energy cut-off was the latest in a series of spats in recent years between the neighbors over energy prices and customs duties. European gas supplies were briefly interrupted in June last year when Russia significantly reduced supplies to Belarus over a similar payment dispute.
Belarus's economic woes have already seen the country devalue its currency and ask for international help.
Author: Timothy Jones (AFP, Reuters)
Editor: Andreas Illmer