Lukashenka complains to businessmen about Russia’s leadership

• 2.07.2010, 8:54

The Belarusian ruler sent a letter to big Russian businessmen expressing his point of view of Russia-Belarus “gas war”.

As Lenta.ru learnt on Thursday, 80 businessmen received the letter.

It should be noted that the content of the letter doesn’t differ from Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s letter published in “Pravda” newspaper on June 28, 2010.

Lukashenka accuses the Russian party in breaking down the talks on gas price and stressed that Gazprom’s debt to Belarus for fuel transit exceeded significantly the debt of Belarus. Besides, the ruler supposes reasons for the gas conflict were not economic but political interests of Russia that tries to educate the Belarusian authorities.

In Lukashenka’ opinion, the aim of the pressure is clear – forcing the Belarusian government to “yield to the detriment of the national interests” and “get sweet spot of the Belarusian economy”.

The ruler emphasized that the number of supporters of deep integration decreases due to Russia’s “unfriendly policy”.

At the same time, it’s not clear what aim Lukashenka pursued by sending the letter to Russian businessmen. There are no asks and appeals in the letter. Moreover, he writes at the end he will make best efforts to preserve the friendly relations between the brotherly nations must be done by “us, the politicians”.

On June 21, Gazprom cut gas supplies to Belarus in order the country to pay its debt for the gas deliveries. On June 24, Belarus paid $187 million to the Russian company (Gazprom estimated the debt at $192 million). The gas supplies were resumed.

Belarus, in turn, got $228 million for gas transit, but Minsk demands 32 million more.

We remind that the Customs Code of the Customs Union took effect in Russia and Kazakhstan on July 1, 2010. The document will come into force in Belarus after Alyaksandr Lukashenka signs it. As it was reported on July 1, he has five days to do this.