Baku, Azerbaijan / Trend corr A. Badalova / There is a pressure on the Belarusian President, Alexander Lukashenko, in the relationship between Russia and Belarus, the Editor of International Policy Department of the Kommersant newspaper, Azer Mursaliyev, said.
"The negotiations between Russia and Belarus are sort of crafty," Mursaliyev said
Gazprom will not cut gas supplies to Belarus, as Beltransgaz has paid a part of the liabilities to the Russian gas monopoly. The representatives of the company stated that a week prolongation has been given to Belarus. Approximately $460mln should be transferred to the balance of the Russian company.
According to Mursaliyev, this situation cannot be compared with the situation in Azerbaijan, when Azerbaijan refused importing of gas from Russia, and unlike Azerbaijan the Belarusian Government has practically no gas and oil resources. Another principal difference is that the transport of most of Russian gas to Europe is via Belarus.
"Such a situation defines the interrelations between Russia and Belarus. Both countries are interconnected and such unpleasant situations occurred between them," the Editor noted.
Mursaliyev said that Belarus can live without gas for a certain period of time due to high temperatures in the country.
Belarus can become the initiator for construction of a gas pipeline to other countries, but the pipeline should run via Russia.
" Belarus can demonstrate an initiative for construction of a gas pipeline to other countries, including Azerbaijan and Iran.