Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Mogilyev, December 31 (Interfax) - The average price Belarus will have to pay for natural gas in 2009 will hopefully not differ dramatically from this year's price, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said.

Belarus paid $119.53 per 1,000 cubic meters of natural gas in the first quarter of 2008, and $127.9 per 1,000 cubic meters in the second quarter.

In contract, Ukraine paid $179 per 1,000 cubic meters, prompting critics to complain that the Kremlin has one price for its loyal political allies -- such as Lukashenko -- and another, much higher price for Western-leaning Ukraine.

"Oil prices have seen a four-fold decline. Prices for natural gas will be high starting from the first quarter, but we will pay a reasonable price. They will witness a three-fold drop before the end of [2009]. This is for certain, despite the situation with gas prices on the world market," Lukashenko said in Mogilyev region on Wednesday.

"At least, we have an opportunity to secure a price approximately similar to the price we have this year if nothing changes at talks with Moscow," he said.