In Belarus, they consider this deal a success.
Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said that Belarus is starting oil supplies from the United States.
“I am pleased to confirm the beginning of oil supplies from the USA to Belarus. This was made possible following the agreements reached during a visit to the Republic of Belarus on February 1, 2020 by US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and a meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, ” the minister said.
The supply of US oil is part of the state’s diversification strategy.
“We consider cooperation with the United States in the oil sector as an essential element of the state’s energy security, as an important part of the trade and investment cooperation developed by the parties and with significant potential for economic sovereignty of our country,” said Vladimir Makei.
The Belarusian authorities continue the policy of demonstrative oil purchases at prices significantly higher than Russian, in order to prove to Moscow its independence from Russian supplies. According to Belneftekhim, the first American oil tanker will arrive in Klaipeda in early June. The volume of 80 thousand tons, which is enough for about 4 days of operation of one refinery.
For comparison, in April Belarus purchased more than 1.5 million tons of raw materials from Russia, and plans to purchase another 1.13 million tons by the end of May.