Belarus helps Russia to win Ukraine over Lithuania energy bid
Russia has sneaked a contract from Ukraine to supply electricity to Lithuania. Experts suggest Belarus played a role. According to Kommersant-Ukraina business newspaper, the Russian monopoly Inter RAO EES has signed a 10-year contract to supply 2.5 billion kW annually, beginning from 2010. The cost of the contract has not been revealed. The contract with Russia factually closes the Lithuanian market for Ukrainian suppliers, according to Oleg Bugaev, Ukraine's first deputy fuel and energy minister.
Ukraine and Lithuania were in talks over the electricity supplies for almost two years. In mid February 2009, media reported that foreign ministers of Lithuania, Ukraine and Belarus "had reached a principal agreement to ensure a transit of the Ukrainian electricity to Lithuania". However, Leanid Zaika, the director of the Minsk-based Strategy Center think tank, reckons that Belarus blocked the transit of the Ukrainian energy to Lithuania for the sake of Russia, reports minprom.com.ua.
Ukraine and Lithuania were in talks over the electricity supplies for almost two years. In mid February 2009, media reported that foreign ministers of Lithuania, Ukraine and Belarus "had reached a principal agreement to ensure a transit of the Ukrainian electricity to Lithuania". However, Leanid Zaika, the director of the Minsk-based Strategy Center think tank, reckons that Belarus blocked the transit of the Ukrainian energy to Lithuania for the sake of Russia, reports minprom.com.ua.
