Lukashenko Threatens to Begin Uptake Russian Transit Oil

Belarus is ready to begin uptake Russian oil if Russia does not deliver the “approved volume”. Lukashenko also recalled that the Russian Federation did not compensate costs of roily oil supply in 2019. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko announced his readiness to begin uptake Russian transit oil. On Friday, February 14, BelTA agency reported. According to him, Belarus would make such step if Russia does not deliver the "approved volume" of 2 million tons per month. "70 million tons of oil are pumped through the country and they (Russia. - Ed.) have no problems. We conscientiously, honestly do pump this oil, " Lukashenko said. Lukashenko warned Putin The Belarusian president also recalled that Russia still has not compensated for costs of roily oil supply in April last year. “Remember the roily oil in the summer? Well, you haven’t paid for it until now, although the equipment in Mozyr got in the blink and in Novopolotsk the Druzhba pipeline has also been affected,” Lukashenko said. He also said that he had already voiced this position in negotiations with Vladimir Putin on February 7. “I didn’t blackmail anyone,” Lukashenko said. Oil supplies to Belarus from major Russian oil companies have been stopped since the beginning of the year due to differences in price. In January, Lukashenko announced the need to reduce dependence on oil from Russia. Minsk sent requests for oil purchase to Ukraine, Poland, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and the Baltic countries.