Іgor Plotnitsky. Photo ghall.com.ua
The unrecognised Luhansk republic is negotiating coal supplies with Belarus.
The major domestic problem is the inability to sell its own industrial products and coal.
“We are in talks with Belarus, Turkey, China. First and foremost, the case is coal supplies. We have difficulty exporting products and preparing certificates. We are in search of the best ways of tackling the problem; I am sure we will find it. There is a thin line between economics and politics. A new player on the market is always ambiguously perceived by others,” Igor Plotnitsky, the leader of the so-called Luhansk republic, told the Russian newspaper Izvestia.
Belarusian economist Yaraslau Ramanchuk believes that the price for coal offered by the separatists may be very beneficial.
“As ‘DPR’ and ‘LPR’ are scarce of money, the price will be attractive enough and Belarus can gain from it. But, of course, such may affect Belarus-Ukraine relations. If we try to earn, for example, $150 mln on coal from ‘LPR’, we might lose $2 bn in the trade with Ukraine, which will not be matching. I think the Belarusian authorities will think twice before entering into such a contract,” the expert told Belsat.
According to Ramanchuk, if the Belarusian authorities and ‘LPR’ reach a deal, shady schemes may be involvd in the process of coal supply.
“For example, some Russian company will be a mediator. It will buy coal from ‘LPR’ and then sell it to Belarus. Thus, the Belarusian government will formally buy coal from a Russian company, not Luhansk-based one,” the economist says.
belsat.eu
