Eurasian integration: ‘more for less’

Belarus considers the issue of oil product export duties as ‘decided’, following the decision of the Eurasian Economic Commission Board adopted in summer 2013.

Back then, the parties endorsed an agreement to remove such exemptions. However, abolishing export duty payments does not guarantee that Belarus will receive the desired budget revenues, because Russia has adopted compensatory measures to replenish her budget. Meanwhile, in economic and political terms, new Russian subsidies will be more costly for Belarus than before. Nevertheless, President Lukashenko may bargain additional resources from Russia to hold the 2015 presidential campaign.