Russia not too happy with Belarusian proposal to increase tariff for pumping oil via Druzhba pipeline, should be discussed

ST. PETERSBURG. June 16 (Interfax) - Belarus' proposal to raise the tariff for the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba main oil pipeline is not to Russia's liking.

"We will discuss this issue. Now that there are more deliveries to Germany and Poland. Anyway, we must determine a fair and economically justified tariff," Russian Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov told reporters.

"Supplies there are now going to Germany via the northern branch, and we are coordinating them. There are no shipments of Russian oil there now. Total volumes are increasing every month, primarily via Germany. We look at how much oil the pipeline system can pass through every quarter," he added.

"A supply of 1.2 million tonnes has been agreed for a year [from Kazakhstan], that is, 100,000 tonnes per month. Kazakhstan is not involved in the discussion, because the pipeline is not theirs. Kazakhstan can then decide to pump more or less," the minister said.

"We have not yet agreed on a tariff. This issue is being discussed," Shulginov said.

In addition, he said that Belarus is reducing gas purchases due to the commissioning of the second unit of their nuclear power plant. "The second block of their nuclear power plant is now being tested. First, it was launched 50%, and then 75%. Now it is difficult to determine how much gas supplies will decrease, but there will be a reduction," the minister said.