The majority of Russians consider Belarus a friendly state, but are against the sale of Minsk energy resources at low prices. This is evidenced by the results of the poll, published Thursday, February 16, TASS.
Against the granting of discounts on oil and gas even in exchange for support on the part of Minsk in favor 56 percent of respondents hold the opposite opinion 38 per cent. Most of those who do not want to give Belarus of preferences among citizens aged 45 to 59, and lowest among those 18 to 24 years.
Directly against the sale of Belarus of energy resources at below market price, 60 percent of respondents agree this step 32 percent. At the same time, as noted in the VTSIOM, having information on the debt of Minsk to Gazprom, the share of opponents of sale of oil and gas at low prices has risen to 69 percent.
In addition, the vast majority — 78 percent — of citizens voted for the introduction of visa regime with Belarus because of the decision of Minsk to lift restrictions on the entry of nationals of 80 countries. Only 16 percent agreed to maintain the open border between the two countries.
At the same time as a friendly state Belarus perceive the 40 percent of Russians as a trading and economic partner — 35 percent, as a strategic — 9 percent. However, only four percent of citizens consider the Federal government a competitor, and 3 per cent by the enemy.
In early January Russia intended to cut oil supplies to Belarus from 4.5 to 4 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2017 after the parties were unable to resolve the gas dispute that led to the debt on the part of Minsk.
From February 12 in Belarus began to operate a visa-free regime with 80 countries in the country without issuing additional permits may include residents of the European States and citizens of the United States, Japan, Brazil and Indonesia. Foreigners may enter Belarus without visas through the Minsk airport.
At the end of January, the management of FSB of Russia has ordered to establish Russian-Belarusian borders of the border zone. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko criticized the move, saying that Russia in this way violates the interstate agreement.