Venediktov: Sechin Brought Putin's Decision On Oil Issue

What is behind the visit of the Rosneft head to Minsk?

Rosneft Executive Director Igor Sechin went to Minsk with an instruction from Russian President Putin. This was stated by editor-in-chief of the Echo of Moscow radio station Alexei Venediktov on the air of his media program "Special Opinion" in the evening on February 18. "The day before Sechin met with Putin. This means that Sechin received an assignment," - Venediktov said.

"We know that the main public issue, the operational one, is oil supplies to the Republic of Belarus. The day before, the head of Rosneft, which last year supplied 50% of all the oil that went to Belarus, met with the President of the Russian Federation, then got on a plane and flew to Lukashenka. Obviously, he had an assignment. Well, it is clear. Putin made a decision after the meeting with Lukashenka. He brought him Putin's decision. And today or tomorrow we will learn what decision Putin made with regard to Belarus and the oil issue," - Venediktov said.

"There is no Sechin. It could be Sechin or Mlechin. Whoever has an assignment will go with it," - the head of Echo of Moscow added.

"It is obvious that the tension in the Belarusian-Russian relations is quite serious and that Sechin went with some suggestions. We can indulge in fantasies, but this is another program. And here I say what I know. Sechin brought some proposals, let's wait, what will be the reaction to the proposals. We'll know from the reaction what the proposals were," - Aleksei Venediktov, who took almost two hours' interview with Lukashenka in Minsk on December 24 last year, said.

The last public meeting between Putin and Sechin was held on February 11. As reported by Rosneft Information Policy Department, the parties discussed the results of the company in 2019 and promising projects.

Negotiations between Lukashenka and Sechin were held in Minsk on February 18. Prior to the talks, the Belarusian ruler said: "I would like full clarity. Taking advantage of the fact that we've known each other for a long time, you'll advise something and we'll be able to agree on our future cooperation".

Rosneft Informational Policy Department reported after the talks between Sechin and Lukashenka that "the parties have exchanged views on the development of further cooperation in the field of energy". The release of the company also notes that Rosneft is a key supplier of oil to Belarus.

On January 1, Russia stopped oil deliveries to Belarus as the annual contracts expired. In turn, Minsk suspended exports of petroleum products to prevent a crisis in the domestic market.