Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday that his country would suspend Russian transit gas deliveries to Europe. The announcement comes in the wake of Russia's decision to cut gas supplies to Belarus in a dispute over unpaid debts.

According to Mr Lukashenko, Russia and Belarus were now facing a “gas war.” He said he would only restart supplies once Belarus had received $260 million in unpaid transit fees.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, however, moved to calm fears. “The conflict does not affect Poland in any perceptible way. For now, the pressure in the Yamal pipeline has not fallen,” Mr Tusk told a news conference. “Poland is safe for many many weeks,” he added.

Moscow had earlier reduced gas supplies to Belarus by 30 percent because Belarus had $200 million in outstanding debts.

The suspension of gas supplies through Belarus could affect up to 6.25 percent of gas consumption by the European Union. Lithuania, Germany and Poland were “the only three countries likely to be affected,” European Commission energy spokeswoman Marlene Holzner told the BBC. (GP)