OREANDA-NEWS. The fall in oil prices provides additional opportunities for Belarus in negotiations with Russia on the supply of hydrocarbons to the republic. This was announced on Monday by the Prime Minister of Belarus Sergey Rumas, whose words are quoted by the news agency.

“This today provides additional opportunities to negotiate with the Russian Federation. Because the situation that exists today is significantly different from the situation in December or January”, the head of the Belarusian government said.

Deliveries of Russian oil to Belarusian refineries were stopped on January 1, as Moscow and Minsk did not conclude an agreement on the terms of supplies for this year. Of all the Russian companies that supplied oil to Belarus, only Safmar didn't stop exporting. On February 26, Belneftekhim announced that in March, five new Russian companies would begin supplying oil to Belarusian refineries at a market price without a premium, in addition to the Safmar group companies.

Belarus will monitor the development of the financial situation in Russia, but won't resort to artificial containment of the Belarusian ruble, the Expert said.