OREANDA-NEWS. Belarus' authorities are not interested in supporting re-export schemes aimed at smuggling embargoed foodstuffs to Russia, Secretary of State at Russia-Belarus Union Grigori Rapota told.

"If Russia suspects that a certain commodity imported from Belarus is of non-Belarusian origin, the parties immediately start consultations," Rapota said. Belarus alone should not be blamed for re-export schemes, as the latter are usually inspired and controlled by Russian import companies, the official said.

In August, Russia banned imports of beef, pork, poultry, fish, cheese, dairy products, fruits and vegetables from Australia, Canada, Norway, the U.S. and the E.U. for one year to retaliate Western sanctions. Minsk counts on being able to partially substitute those imports.