Belarus, Ukraine To Team Up Against Russia

Belarus and Ukraine have actually confirmed the possibility of establishing some gas partnership bypassing Russia.

Belarus made clear it is looking for gas suppliers that would be alternative to Gazprom, while UkrgazEnergo said it will probably sell around 7 billion cu meters of gas to the third party in 2007.

?We may negotiate about energy security of our country with whom we think necessary,? Belarus? Prime Minister Sergey Sidorsky told the reporters past Friday when asked about the possible purchase of gas bypassing Russia.

A week ago, Ukrtransgaz reported it sealed a protocol with Beltransgaz to control the export flow of Russia?s gas towards Europe. The protocol provides for delivering up to 7 billion cu meters from Ukraine to Belarus via the old pipeline. But the source of such additional amount was unknown.