Just as Gazprom poped the bubbly on 2007, the hammer of energy politics fell upon Belarus.
At two minutes before midnight on New Year's Eve, Russia and Belarus inked a last minute deal on energy prices. This agreement signals a fundamental turning point in Russia's relations with the former Soviet state, and leaves open the question of Lukashenka's future.
Belarus will now pay $100 per 1,000 cubic meters of natural gas -- a price which will rise to $200, by 2011. By comparison, Belarus got off easy. Ukraine is paying Russia $135 for the same quanity. While Georgia now pays $235.
Should old acquaintance be forgot? It would seem so at Gazprom. But when your headquarters is a monolithic fortress of the future, you don't really need friends.
No comments:
Post a Comment