Negotiations between Russian and Belarus slow down due to conflicting interests

At the Russo-Belarusian intergovernmental meeting (within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia Ministerial Council) Russia and Belarus have revealed a difference in interests as regards mutual trade and visa policy. Both parties are working on the bilateral rapprochement yet they are far from a compromise. The only exception is that parties have agreed on the Russian oil supply to Belarus, but so far, details of the agreement have not been disclosed to reveal what it would mean in practice. Nevertheless, the very fact that parties hold regular negotiations relaxes tension in bilateral relations and prevents acute conflicts.