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Russia seeking $1.5 billion from Minsk

Moscow has suggested that Belarus transfer $1.5 billion more to the Russian budget over its reported move to export diesel fuel made of Russian crude under the guise of solvents, diluents and lubricants, BelaPAN said.

Russian government officials have made the suggestion during ongoing talks on the terms of oil deliveries to Belarus in the fourth quarter of this year and in 2013, according to Russia's news agency Prime.

"Russia has suggested returning to the Russian budget the duties that it did not receive because of Belarus' exports of solvents, diluents, lubricants, etc.," an unnamed Russian government official was quoted as saying.

When petroleum products made from Russian oil are exported outside the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, Belarus is required to transfer the amount it collects in export duty to Russia. No export duty is levied on solvents, diluents and lubricants.

Russian officials have repeatedly expressed concern about a dramatic increase in the export of solvents from Belarus this year, saying that Belarus may be exporting diesel fuel disguised as solvents, diluents and lubricants in order to avoid transferring the export duties it collects to Russia.