The Kremlin calmly reacted to the information that Belarus is trying to negotiate oil supplies from the United States
This was stated today by the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“As for the issue of purchasing oil, this is a matter of economic feasibility. And, you know, it's like with gas. You can buy gas at a higher price on the spot market, you can buy pipeline gas that comes from Russia cheaper, you can win something over the course of a month by purchasing spot gas, or you can get a significant benefit from supplies over the course of one or two years. pipe gas, which turns out to be cheaper and more profitable in the longer term,” Peskov said.
Earlier, Western media reported that the Belarusian Oil Company hired lobbyist David Gencarelli to obtain a license to purchase American crude oil in order to diversify imports and reduce dependence on Russia.
Gencarelli will help the company obtain a special license from the US Treasury Department to “purchase crude oil for delivery to refineries in the Republic of Belarus,” Voice of America reported.
Belarus' ability to import oil from the United States is limited by sanctions that Washington imposed in 2006 in response to the "undermining of democratic processes" during the presidential election.
In 2015, when Lukashenko allowed election observers and released some political prisoners, the United States began to grant Belneftekhim temporary exceptions from the sanctions regime for a period of six months with the possibility of extension.
The current sanctions waiver expires on October 25.
“We are talking about studying the “red lines” in relations with Russia. I think that in any case, the Belarusian side would like to have such an opportunity, this would be a form of influence on the Russians: If you want to reduce our subsidy, we will buy oil from the Americans,” Jeff Mangaf, deputy director and senior employee, told Radio Liberty. program “Russia and Eurasia” of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Economist Tatyana Manenok points out that no matter how cheap American oil turns out to be, logistics will make its purchase unprofitable.
“I am skeptical about this prospect. So far, it looks like for Belarus this alternative is a trump card in trade with Russia regarding compensation for the tax maneuver and more attractive terms for the supply of oil to Belarusian refineries after 2024,” concluded Manenok.
Let us remind you that Lukashenko’s quarrels with Russia have already resulted in rising crime and economic stagnation Belarus