Belarus’ Oil Alternatives

(click to enlarge)

Following Russian threats to cut off Belarus’ oil supply, leaders in Minsk have begun to look for alternative sources of oil and natural gas – despite Russian pressure for more political and economic integration between the two countries. And in the hopes of reducing Minsk’s reliance on Russian energy, European countries have offered to help. Belarus is considering a plan to secure approximately 30 percent of its crude from Ukraine, another 30 to 40 percent from the Baltic states and the remainder from Russia. As indicated in this map, if Belarus wanted to find alternative sources for the 18 million tons of crude per year currently supplied by Russia, it could turn to European suppliers.