{"id":133225,"date":"2025-04-07T12:34:52","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T09:34:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/133225\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T13:35:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T13:35:32","slug":"prime-minister-turcyn-discussing-oil-deal-loans-in-moscow","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/133225\/","title":{"rendered":"Prime Minister Tur\u010dyn discussing oil deal, loans in Moscow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On April 7, Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka sent Prime Minister Alaksandar Tur\u010dyn to Moscow to discuss final solutions to the economic issues he had raised with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, finding lasting solutions is unlikely, as Moscow leverages its economic power over Belarus to force Minsk into making political concessions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n Russian president presenting an order to \u0141uka\u0161enka in Moscow on October 9, 2024\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (\u0141uka\u0161enka's press office\/Pozirk's still)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPresident Putin has supported us on all issues, from financial matters to oil prices,\u201d the Belarusian leader told Tur\u010dyn on April 4. \u201cThe point is that we need to adjust the oil price so that our enterprises [oil refineries] can continue operations. We don\u2019t need extremely high profitability; 7-8 percent is enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refineries said to be unprofitable<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the government has not disclosed data on the financial performance of Belarus\u2019 two refineries in recent years, \u0141uka\u0161enka complained on March 14, during his visit to Moscow, that they were unprofitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking at Russia\u2019s Federation Council, he said, \u201cWhy are you so stingy with your oil and gas? You have plenty of it. I see you are being so tight-fisted. Let\u2019s make a deal.\u201d He added that he would be satisfied if the refineries operated with a profit margin of 7-8 percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moscow has delayed the launch of a common energy market with Belarus. The Kremlin prefers to sign short-term contracts, using them as a tool to influence Minsk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loans and financial assistance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tur\u010dyn informed journalists that he might discuss a new loan from Moscow for import substitution projects. In 2022, Russia approved a $1.5 billion credit line for the purpose. These loans have been used to finance the production of both civil and military goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Kremlin has been generous in terms of financial assistance in recent years. On March 20, Putin signed a law rescheduling Minsk’s $800-million debt repayment to the period between 2031 and 2036.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Belarusian government currently owes Russia more than $8 billion. Additionally, Minsk is considering taking out another Russian loan for the construction of a second nuclear power plant in Belarus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Russia\u2019s financial aid comes with strings attached. The Kremlin approved the debt deferment only after \u0141uka\u0161enka signed the ratification of an agreement with Moscow on mutual security guarantees. This treaty opens new opportunities for Russia to increase its military presence in Belarus and allows it to intervene to eliminate \u201cthreats to the constitutional order.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Financial Times<\/em>, Russia\u2019s defense spending in 2024, totaling $462 billion, exceeded the combined defense expenditures of the European Union and the UK. So, a few billion dollars in loans to Minsk is a relatively small sum for Moscow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the role of beggars may be uncomfortable for Belarusian officials, Tur\u010dyn is unlikely to return from Moscow empty-handed. The alliance with Russia undermines Belarus\u2019 sovereignty but helps \u0141uka\u0161enka to keep his regime afloat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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