Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 10 October (BelTA) – The proposal to reroute the transit of Belarusian oil products to Russian ports is not an ultimatum. Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko made the statement during the Belarusian Energy and Ecology Forum on 10 October, BelTA has learned.

“I don’t think of it as an ultimatum. There is an absolute understanding that our oil refineries are not that rich and do not boast extremely high profit margins for us to give away gifts and pay extra for railway transportation, transshipment and other services,” said Vladimir Semashko.

The possible rerouting of Belarusian oil products to Russian ports will be discussed among other matters during the meeting of Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko and Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Arkady Dvorkovich by 15 November.

“We are discussing the matter. Our experts will be in Russia this week. They will visit the ports we are offered. The Belarusian side, our oil refineries have no right to lose even a cent per every tonne of processed oil. Yes, we can consider the proposal, provided the economic terms are absolutely the same or maybe even more profitable than the terms accompanying deliveries via Ukrainian and Baltic ports,” noted Vladimir Semashko. He explained that the Russian side had been understanding about the approach.