The Crisis in Russian-Belarusian Relations

Author(s): Oleg Aleksandrov
Editor(s): Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perovic, Heiko Pleines, Hans-Henning Schröder
Series: Russian Analytical Digest (RAD)
Issue: 15
Pages: 11-13
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen
Publication Year: 2007

The dispute over oil and gas prices between Belarus and Russia at the turn of the year has caused a serious deterioration in relations between the two countries. The result has been further delays in the already moribund efforts to create a Union state. Instead, Russia chose to end its subsidies to Belarus and demanded higher prices for its energy supplies and a 50 percent share in the Belarus gas pipeline monopoly Beltransgaz. Belarus has sought to move away from its close relationship with Russia, but has few options because of its poor relations with the West and lack of bilateral ties to other CIS countries.

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