Russian Minister of Energy: Russia may cut oil supplies to Belarus

Moscow demands to resume supplies of petroleum products.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told Vedomosti in which case Russia may reduce oil supplies to Belarus.

Alexander Novak reminds the agreement between two countries says in case of essential difference in prices Belarus can suspend deliveries of petroleum products.

"This paragraph was written in an abstract way: it is not clear what an essential difference means, there is no method. Now the Ministry of Energy is developing it with Belarusian colleagues. It is possible the difference is not as essential as our Belarusian partners state", the Russian Minister emphasized.

According to him, Russia and Belarus should clearly interpret an essential difference. "Under the agreement in the case of short deliveries to Russia of Belarusian gasoline by more than 10% suggested by schedules, we have the right to reduce the supply of oil in a ratio of 1:5. As soon as deliveries of motor gasoline resume, the supply of oil will be restored", Novak emphasized.

The Energy Minister noted that all calculations should be documented, and the risk of conflict should be minimal. Alexander Novak also noted unless the modernization of the Russian oil refineries was completed, our neighbours were counting on supplies of petroleum products from Belarus.

Earlier it was reported that Belarus intended to achieve reduction in previously agreed volumes of supplies of petroleum products. Minsk plans have changed due to the devaluation of the Russian ruble, it is profitable to deliver gasoline to other countries. According to the publication, in response Russia may reduce the duty-free oil supplies to Belarus.

Deliveries are agreed each year. According to the plan for 2015, Russia must supply 23 million tons of oil, Belarus - 1.8 million tons of petroleum products.