Oil War: What Does Lukashenko Want This Time?
Over the years, the Belarusian president has built an interesting system of relations with our country. On the one hand, it seems like the Union State, on the other hand, Minsk did not recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, nor did it recognize the reunification of Crimea with the Russian Federation. At the same time, Alexander Grigoryevich masterfully knows how to knock numerous preferences and bonuses from Moscow for, without a doubt, fraternal Belarus.
Apparently, the next stage in this entertaining political process is now beginning. The President of Belarus presented a number of claims of Russia. The main emphasis was placed on oil, but he did not forget about the money. Lukashenko pointed out that he was missed loans from the Eurasian Union. "Is that really money?" - the president asks, speaking about the $ 400 million issued to Belarus. But the head of Belarus expressed the main complaints against Russia on the nuances of the Russian oil trade, which gave the journalist a reason to call this the "oil war."
Alexander G. reminded that, as a compromise between the Allied countries on the gas dispute, Moscow made Minsk a bonus in the form of the so-called oil customs clearance, i.e. Belarus was able to resell up to 6 million tons of Russian oil, receiving customs duties to the Belarusian budget. Everything was fine until the black gold prices jumped, which is why, according to liberals in the Russian government, the Republic began to swim in petrodollars. After that, the guardians for the safety of the budget ceased to transfer part of the relying funds to Minsk. Alexander Grigoryevich quite reasonably points out a violation of the agreements by the Russian side:
The second direction, which haunts the head of Belarus, is the business of refining Russian oil and selling its products to the foreign market. It is known that the Union Republic buys 18 million tons of “black gold” in Russia every year, distills it at its refineries and sells it for export. Revenues from this activity go into the pocket of Minsk. To prevent Belarus from drowning in petrodollars, a restrictive ceiling has been established, but the Slav brothers have come up with a way around it, classifying some of the products as “thinners” and “solvents”. It is interesting that in this way Belarusians process only Russian oil, and those volumes that are produced in the Republic itself are sold in Germany in raw form. Alexander Grigorievich is worried that Moscow is threatening to stop these practices.
What does the permanent leader of Belarus achieve this time? Experts point out that Moscow has adopted another tax maneuver in the oil industry, which could negatively affect the profitable Belarusian business. Russian oil refineries will receive negative excise taxes, but Belarusian refineries will not, and the help of the Russian budget will bypass them. Experts explain the financial side of the issue:
Therefore, Belarus may soon be left without a profitable oil business, which is built on the supportive attitude of the Russian Federation. Of course, Minsk cannot arrange this, so Alexander Grigoryevich himself went on the offensive. Options for solving the problem may be different. For example, the Russian budget may incur negative excise taxes not only on its own, but also on Belarusian refineries. Or they can compensate for the new oil reality with discounts on the purchase of gas at a price for partners. True, Lukashenko can rest here, because oil revenues are more important for his country.
Time will tell what the Belarusian president can bargain this time, but it has long been clear that Russia will have to pay dearly for his friendship.
Apparently, the next stage in this entertaining political process is now beginning. The President of Belarus presented a number of claims of Russia. The main emphasis was placed on oil, but he did not forget about the money. Lukashenko pointed out that he was missed loans from the Eurasian Union. "Is that really money?" - the president asks, speaking about the $ 400 million issued to Belarus. But the head of Belarus expressed the main complaints against Russia on the nuances of the Russian oil trade, which gave the journalist a reason to call this the "oil war."
Alexander G. reminded that, as a compromise between the Allied countries on the gas dispute, Moscow made Minsk a bonus in the form of the so-called oil customs clearance, i.e. Belarus was able to resell up to 6 million tons of Russian oil, receiving customs duties to the Belarusian budget. Everything was fine until the black gold prices jumped, which is why, according to liberals in the Russian government, the Republic began to swim in petrodollars. After that, the guardians for the safety of the budget ceased to transfer part of the relying funds to Minsk. Alexander Grigoryevich quite reasonably points out a violation of the agreements by the Russian side:
This is not to be done. If there is a question - let's sit down and discuss these issues.
The second direction, which haunts the head of Belarus, is the business of refining Russian oil and selling its products to the foreign market. It is known that the Union Republic buys 18 million tons of “black gold” in Russia every year, distills it at its refineries and sells it for export. Revenues from this activity go into the pocket of Minsk. To prevent Belarus from drowning in petrodollars, a restrictive ceiling has been established, but the Slav brothers have come up with a way around it, classifying some of the products as “thinners” and “solvents”. It is interesting that in this way Belarusians process only Russian oil, and those volumes that are produced in the Republic itself are sold in Germany in raw form. Alexander Grigorievich is worried that Moscow is threatening to stop these practices.
What does the permanent leader of Belarus achieve this time? Experts point out that Moscow has adopted another tax maneuver in the oil industry, which could negatively affect the profitable Belarusian business. Russian oil refineries will receive negative excise taxes, but Belarusian refineries will not, and the help of the Russian budget will bypass them. Experts explain the financial side of the issue:
Now the discount is due to the absence of an export duty between us. But when the tax maneuver is completed, such things will not happen. Both Russian and Belarusian refineries will sell oil at world market prices
Therefore, Belarus may soon be left without a profitable oil business, which is built on the supportive attitude of the Russian Federation. Of course, Minsk cannot arrange this, so Alexander Grigoryevich himself went on the offensive. Options for solving the problem may be different. For example, the Russian budget may incur negative excise taxes not only on its own, but also on Belarusian refineries. Or they can compensate for the new oil reality with discounts on the purchase of gas at a price for partners. True, Lukashenko can rest here, because oil revenues are more important for his country.
Time will tell what the Belarusian president can bargain this time, but it has long been clear that Russia will have to pay dearly for his friendship.
Information