Russia ready to make loan to Belarus to pay for Russian oil

Russia is prepared to issue a loan to Belarus to pay for the Russian crude oil in 2010, a source close to the talks told the Russian news agency Prime-Tass. "Russia is ready to make a loan to Belarus in the amount equivalent tothe export duties to be applied, IvestGURU quotes the source as saying. The credit could be issued after the government of Belarus submits an official application.

At the same time, Russia hopes that Belarus will not begin any actions aimed at competing with Russian oil supplies. Russia hopes that Belarus will not take part in the project implemented by the international pipeline company Sarmatia, and will not supply Belarusian oil to a refinery in Ukraine.