Mr. Ryazanov said in an interview with Izvestia on Monday, "if we set up a single state, Beltransgaz correspondingly enters the Gazprom system and becomes part of this state's single system of gas supply. This is impossible if the block of shares is under 50%."
He stated that Gazprom would return to the question of gas supplies to Belarus at Russian prices only after a joint venture is created.
"But, frankly speaking, I no longer believe that this is possible. That is why the conditions for gas supplies are now dominating the talks. Independent suppliers cannot completely supply Belarus with gas - their own resources are simply insufficient for this," Mr. Ryazanov added.
The government of Belarus wants to receive $5 billion for the controlling stake of Beltransgaz, whereas Gazprom is ready to pay about $600 million.
According to Mr. Ryazanov, Gazprom could start supplying gas to Belarus even tomorrow but at market prices. A model of supplies and settlements for transit across its territory, which has already been in operation in Ukraine for a number of years, is offered to the republic.
