Belarus may close Friendship, but oil export from Russia will not hinder
In the event Belarus closes the Druzhba oil pipeline, Russia will reorient oil supplies to seaports. This was announced by the head of the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak, commenting on recent statements by Belarusian leaders.
Recall that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko recently promised to close oil pipelines for repairs to improve the environmental situation in the country, and then his words were repeated by Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko, who spoke more specifically about the Druzhba pipeline.
According to Druzhba, oil from Russia is delivered to European countries. The scale of pumping "black gold" through the pipeline is impressive - in 2018 they amounted to 60,4 million tons of oil, including 58,8 million tons - as exports from Russia. It is clear that the Belarusian authorities are using the promise to close Friendship to pressure Russia in response to the prohibitions on the supply of Belarusian food products.
However, the Russian leadership does not believe that Minsk will go to close the pipeline. But even if this happens, there should not be any special problems. Russia is not Belarus and we have quite a variety of resource opportunities in order to organize the transit of its exported goods to other countries.
- emphasized Minister Novak.
Recall that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko recently promised to close oil pipelines for repairs to improve the environmental situation in the country, and then his words were repeated by Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko, who spoke more specifically about the Druzhba pipeline.
According to Druzhba, oil from Russia is delivered to European countries. The scale of pumping "black gold" through the pipeline is impressive - in 2018 they amounted to 60,4 million tons of oil, including 58,8 million tons - as exports from Russia. It is clear that the Belarusian authorities are using the promise to close Friendship to pressure Russia in response to the prohibitions on the supply of Belarusian food products.
However, the Russian leadership does not believe that Minsk will go to close the pipeline. But even if this happens, there should not be any special problems. Russia is not Belarus and we have quite a variety of resource opportunities in order to organize the transit of its exported goods to other countries.
Of course, we have reserves in other areas of oil supply, including with an increase in loading volumes through seaports. But I believe that this is completely inexpedient and it is necessary to work in accordance with existing agreements, contracts,
- emphasized Minister Novak.
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