Russian gas producer OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS) could lose between $2.5 billion and $3 billion in revenue next year from discounts to neighboring Belarus , newspaper Vedomosti reports.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Monday offered Belarus a discounted gas price in connection with its participation in the Customs Union, a trade group comprising Russia , Kazakhstan and Belarus .

Putin said the discount would be implemented for gas supplies to Belarus in 2012. The size of the discount will be negotiated between Gazprom and Belarusian state-owned gas pipeline company Beltransgaz. The price talks will be a part of negotiations to sell 50% of Beltransgaz to Gazprom, Putin said. Gazprom declined to comment.

In 2006, Gazprom bought a 50% stake in Beltransgaz for $2.5 billion.

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