Russian experts approve oil pipeline to bypass Belarus

The Russian state expertise agency has given a go-ahead to Transneft company to build the second Baltic pipeline network system, reports the Russian news agency Itar-Tass. On August 28, when meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Transneft CEO Semyon Vaynshtok stated that his company had completed the system's design and was ready to decide on the direction and technical aspects as soon as experts gave a green light.

Under the project, a new pipeline is planned to connect the town of Unecha, Smolensk region with the Russian Baltic port of Primorsk. The project aims to bypass Belarus for the Russian oil supplies to Europe.