Opinions & Interviews

Belarus vows to buy at least two tankers of alternative oil per month regardless of deal with Russia

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MOSCOW, 11 March (BelTA) – Belarus will buy at least two tankers of alternative oil per month even if oil deliveries from Russia get back to normal, BelTA learned from Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Rumas in Moscow on 11 March.

Sergei Rumas said: “Belarus has decided that all the same we will buy at least one tanker for every oil refinery [Mozyr Oil Refinery and OAO Naftan] per month regardless of whether we come to an agreement with the Russian Federation or not. Because matters of economic security, matters of supply diversification have been discussed and decisions have been made.”

“The question is whether we are going to buy a lot of alternative oil the way we do at present or whether we are going to buy minimal amounts in order to understand and stay in touch with the market,” the prime minister added.

Asked to clarify what share Russian oil will constitute in the future – one third or more, Sergei Rumas said: “Everything will depend on the terms we can agree on. If the Russian side eases up on its negotiating stance, then certainly the most convenient logistics today is getting oil by pipeline from the Russian Federation.”

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