Not a war, but getting on nerves

Experts state that new claims of the Russian side to Belarusian milk products are a part of a political game.

The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) has adopted a decision to tighten control over of 10 Belarusian enterprises manufacturing dairy products.

Could it be said that Moscow threatens to start a milk war in response to oil conflict? Would official Minsk fear the new stage of the milk war? An economist Barys Zhaliba answered questions of Radio Svaboda:

- Why reports have appeared that the Russian government is going to tighten control over Belarusian milk products? Could it be connected with the oil conflict between Moscow and Minsk?

- I think that these facts should be connected. A new trade war is unfurled, energy war. I may be exaggerating, but our recent history demonstrates that. And these reports are simply continuation of the energy war in milk industry.

- But won’t the official Minsk be frightened by this threat? Does the Belarusian side fear milk war? Here we should recall who won in the milk war which took place in summer.

- It is getting on nerves. It is pressure in immediate issues, and pressure in secondary issues.

I think none of the sides won in that milk war. Then Moscow retreated a little and lifted some demands.

Now this soap opera goes on. Many things possibly are taking place behind the scenes. It is clear that Moscow uses that as blackmailing and pressure in more important issues. It is playing on one’s nerves.

- But will the threats to increase control over milk products remain just threats, a part of this show of making Belarusians nervous, or will practical steps follow?

- I think it is just a threat. Our milk export does not have such a meaning as export of oil products from Russian oil. There is the central arena of struggle. Actions of the Russian side are rather inconsistent. They give some advances, and then retract from their earlier position.

And it could be expected that pressure would be exerted in secondary issues as well. It is done as a part of comprehensive pressure on the Belarusian side.