It became known why Lukashenko tried not to quarrel with Ukraine
Belarusian authorities expect to use Ukraine as a tool in their economic disputes with both Russia and Lithuania. Minsk has already begun negotiations with Kiev on joint actions if Alexander Lukashenko’s threat to stop the Druzhba oil pipeline for repairs is realized.
This was reported by the pro-Western opposition Belarusian agency “BeloPAN”, citing a source among the participants in the negotiations.
As is known, Belarus threatens to complicate the transit of Russian oil to Europe in response to the Russian Federation’s attempt to block the flow of smuggling of sanctioned goods through Belarusian territory.
Ukrainian energy market expert Gennady Ryabtsev told the publication that Kazakh, Azerbaijani, and Saudi oil could become an alternative for Belarusian refineries. However, its price, taking into account transportation by sea and rail, will be significantly higher than the pipeline one.
Belarus will bypass through Ukraine not only Russia, but also Lithuania, which is hostile to it. The Baltic republic is determined to block the supply of electricity through its territory to Europe from the Belarusian nuclear power plant, the construction of which in Ostrovets will be completed this year with a Russian loan.
In its determination, Lithuania is ready to buy electricity at a higher price - from Estonia and Poland. Meanwhile, resilient Belarus, as reported by Telegraph, is negotiating transit with the same Ukraine.
It seems that both former Soviet republics are not particularly burdened by either Slavic brotherhood or European values.
Belarus has not officially recognized the reunification of Crimea with Russia. Minsk also did not join the Russian economic sanctions against Ukraine in 2018.
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