Belarus’ gas muscle-flexing is self-sabotage 16 Nov 2021 President Lukashenko may regret his threats to disrupt flows of Russian gas to Europe. The pipeline crossing his territory is already of waning importance. By potentially hastening the opening of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 line to Germany, he’s bringing forward its retirement.
Belarus plays airspace poker with a weak hand 25 May 2021 Irate western powers have banned flights over the Russian ally’s territory after it forced a Ryanair jet to land. Engaging in “air piracy” is easier for countries that can afford to lose overflight fees or are too big to fly around. Neither is obviously the case for Belarus.
Belarus is a headache for Russia, not the world 18 Aug 2020 President Alexander Lukashenko’s future is in serious doubt after days of protests against his re-election. Minsk has limited economic ties to the non-Russian world, but Moscow has enough leverage to push for a friendly new regime. Belarus can avoid becoming another Ukraine.
Proof of potash cartel revival will be in pricing 27 Jan 2014 New Kremlin-backed owners at Russia’s Uralkali, the world’s biggest potash producer, appear open to reviving a marketing alliance with Belarus. But it’s far from a done deal. Even if the cartel returns, it’s unlikely to survive long once BHP Billiton enters the business.
CIC’s potash stake bodes ill for cartel revival 24 Sep 2013 The Chinese sovereign wealth fund’s 12.5 pct stake in Uralkali will give Beijing some leverage in the Belarus-Russia potash spat. A purely financial investor might prefer a return of the producers’ cartel. But China is unlikely to support any move to drive up global prices.
Belarus-Russia spat clears way for potash plunge 30 Aug 2013 A diplomatic row following Belarus’ arrest of a top Russian potash executive dashes chances that the former Soviet producers’ alliance can be revived. The rival North American cartel won’t survive much longer. Farmers and consumers should cheer at the prospect of lower prices.