Russia wants Belarus to keep away from alternative energy routes

It has become known that Moscow has promised loans to Minsk for purchasing oil if it refuses to participate in the Odessa-Brody-Gdansk oil pipeline project. According to confidential sources this issue was discussed during the January 25 Moscow negotiations between the two countries. Some other details of a financial character were discussed during the meeting but this issue is still under consideration.

On December 8, 2009 the Belarus Foreign Minister got involved in Eastern Partnership Programme issues. In February 2010 the Ukraine, Belarus and Azerbaijan Foreign Ministers will meet and discuss the Eurasian oil transportation corridor project. On January 14 during the energy conference in Batumi the Odessa-Brody-Plock pipeline was also discussed.

It is clear that The Kremlin wants to guarantee that Minsk will not participate in any or some of these alternative energy supply projects, and thus undermine alternative supply routes to Europe.