Russia pricing its natural gas according to loyalty

Ukraine currently pays more for Russian natural gas than Belarus. This is because Minsk has a global integration project with Russia on the go whereas Kiev does not. Russian Vice Premier Igor Shuvalov stated this recently while in Ukraine, stressing that because Russia and Belarus are cooperating closely and seeking deeper union Belarus is receiving energy at the same prices Russia charges its own domestic users.

As soon as Moscow establishes a unified economic space with Belarus and Kazakhstan all taxes on oil and oil products will be annulled. Shuvalov stated openly that Ukraine will get Russian energy for much less if it chooses to integrate more closely with Russia.