Leanid Zlotnikau: Gas for 70, 170 or 270 Dollars Won't Help Lukashenka

The discount on gas will not save the Belarusian economy.

The smell of gas has been long felt in Russia-Belarus relations. At the meeting in St. Petersburg Aliaksandr Lukashenka had a quarrel with Vladimir Putin during the discussion of energy prices and he had to apologize, Belsat writes.

"Brotherhood" of Belarus and Russia failed to withstand gas disputes - it came to a public apology. It has been the first time made in public. What's changed? Is it so important to get a discount on gas? The expert believes the discount won't save the country.

"Venezuela has much oil. It's very cheap there. How do they live there? Another social system, with not a market economy, but a planned, chaotic one, is not very effective. Gas for 70, 270 or 170 dollars will not make any difference anyway. It will not make any difference because our economy is extremely inefficient," economist Leanid Zlotnikau believes.

According to polls, Russians are not against their country's economic support for Belarus. Perhaps, the opinion will change when figures are voiced.

"If the federal budget of Russia subsidizes regional budgets, $100 is spent per Russian citizen. If Belarus is subsidized, it turns out that $1.000 is spent per Belarusian. It's a great difference! And Russia cannot stand it on its own," economist Leanid Zlotnikau said.