Russian Lawmaker Wants Oil Deliveries To Minsk Stopped

A Russian lawmaker wants to stop the delivery of Russian oil products to Belarus.

Media reports in Belarus and Russia on August 5 quoted Russian Duma Deputy Roman Khudyakov as saying that the shipments to Belarus must be stopped to prevent Minsk from delivering petroleum supplies to Ukraine.

Khudyakov said oil products delivered by Minsk to Kyiv "are used by tanks involved in military operations against" pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Khudyakov said that by supplying oil products to Kyiv, Belarus "is helping Ukrainian armed forces to destroy the Ukrainian nation."

Khudyakov's statement came after Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka told Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko by telephone on August 4 that Minsk was ready to supply Ukraine with oil products.

Belarus is considered a close ally of Russia and also maintains close ties with Ukraine.

Based on reporting by naviny.by and BelTA