Lukashenko has predicted a threefold drop in prices for Russian gas.

SyuzhetyTseny gas to the CIS in 2009 godu22.12.2008Medvedev and Lukashenko agreed on the supply gazaAleksandr Lukashenko on Tuesday December 23, said that during the period 1 January through 31 December 2009 the price of Russian gas supplied to Belarus, will fall in 2,5-3 times, the agency Interfax.
The relevant agreement, according to Lukashenko, was reached at a meeting with President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev, held in Moscow on 22 December. Commenting on the outcome of the meeting, Lukashenko said that the parties were able to reach agreement in principle. "Belarus is grateful to the Russian side, and we owe it does not stay. We run for it," - also said the Belarusian president.
Lukashenko said that during the negotiations, agreement was reached on granting Russia Belarus second half credit of two billion dollars. On receipt of the first recall, Belarus reported Nov. 19, 2008, the second, according to Lukashenko, received in February 2009. Yesterday it was reported that in addition to the credit of Belarus has asked Russia has another 100 billion rubles.
According to the Belarusian president, at a meeting with Medvedev also discussed the transition to the Russian ruble in payments for gas supplies in 2009. This condition, remind, Belarus previously agreed to accept in exchange for a 100 billion ruble credit, among other conditions which called the recognition of Belarus independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Lukashenko noted that the draft document on the transition to the ruble is ready and will be signed by Belarus, "where there will be the Russian side."
Remember, at this time, the cost of gas delivered to Belarus at 127.9 dollars per thousand cubic meters. If Lukashenko predicted prices will fall and the cost of gas at the beginning of 2009 remains unchanged, at the end of 2009 the price will decrease to about 46.5 dollars for the same amount.
Meanwhile, the Belarusian agency BelaPAN reports, referring to Russian sources, that the price of gas for Belarus in the first quarter of 2009 could reach 160-170 dollars per thousand cubic meters. Earlier in December, Deputy Minister of Economy of Belarus Vladimir Adashkevich predicted a desired price for gas at 140 dollars.
Note that the Russian side is the cost of gas for Belarus will not comment. After the meeting Medvedev and Lukashenko said only that the agreement reached on this issue.