Belarus is demanding a new payment for Russian gas and oil pipelines which cross its territory. It wants to charge rent for the land the pipelines cover.
Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko said the current agreement with Russia is less favourable than before. Under the new agreement this year, Belarus will have to pay $US3.5 BLN more for Russian oil and gas. Lukashenko pledged to seek compensation for the higher energy tariffs imposed by Russia this year.“We will insist that Russia pays in accordance with the rules of international law,” Belarusian President stressed.