Russia turns hand to oil products smuggling from Belarus

The Russian Deputy Prime Minister ordered appropriate agencies to analyze the situation of oil products export from Belarus to third countries.

“The protocol instruction (following a meeting with Arkady Dvorkovich) to the Ministry of Industry together with the Ministry of Economic Development and Ministry of Energy orders to carry out analysis of the situation over the issue,” Minister of Energy Alexander Novak told journalists adding that the meeting was held on June 13, RIA Novosti reports.

“We have indirect signs regarding the increased volume of export of solvents. We need to work more carefully to prove it,” Novak said.

Russian ambassador to Belarus Alexander Surikov said earlier Russia was concerned that Belarus exported more oil products than it could get from the oil delivered. Russia turned its particular attention to such items as “solvents” and “diluents”, which are not subject to duties. Under the Belarusian-Russian contract, Belarus receives duty-free Russian oil, but paid Russia the duties gained from oil products export.