You're reading: Financial Times: Gazprom, winning in Belarus

Gazprom is tightening its grip on Europe’s gas pipelines. After opening the new Baltic Sea link to Germany earlier this month, the Russian state-controlled group has announced it’s taking total control of the Belarus pipeline that runs from Russia to the European Union. Gazprom is lifting its stake in Beltransgaz to 100 per cent by buying the cash-strapped Belarus state’s 50 per cent for $2.5bn – following years of bitter arguments with Minsk. It’s a triumph for Gazprom and Russia. However, it’s a mixed blessing for the EU: Russia/Belarus disputes may end, but only at the price of greater dependence on Russia.

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