{"id":527350,"date":"2026-03-20T16:40:30","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T13:40:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reform.news\/?p=527350"},"modified":"2026-03-20T18:08:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T15:08:17","slug":"lukashenka-says-u-s-proposed-lng-supplies-to-grodno-azot-but-russian-gas-is-cheaper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/lukashenka-says-u-s-proposed-lng-supplies-to-grodno-azot-but-russian-gas-is-cheaper","title":{"rendered":"Lukashenka Says U.S. Proposed LNG Supplies to Grodno Azot, but Russian Gas Is Cheaper"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Alyaksandr Lukashenka<\/b> said that the United States had proposed supplying liquefied natural gas to the Grodno Azot plant in Belarus, but he rejected the idea because Russian pipeline gas is cheaper.<\/p>\n

Speaking about talks with U.S. Special Envoy John Coale<\/b>, Lukashenka said the proposal involved delivering LNG via Poland.<\/p>\n

“At one point, the question was discussed whether we could buy American liquefied gas, which would be delivered through Poland to Grodno Azot. They know our economy well. I said: guys, with great pleasure \u2014 but can you compete with Russian natural gas that comes through pipelines, which, thanks to Putin, we get a bit cheaper \u2014 ‘a bit cheaper’ \u2014 than on global markets, and with American gas? They laughed.<\/i><\/p>\n

I said: that\u2019s your answer. I can do some basic math. And there are enough economists at Grodno Azot who will also calculate and choose what is better,”<\/i> Lukashenka said.<\/p>\n

He did not specify when the proposal was made. It is also not yet publicly known whether Belarus and Russia have agreed on gas supply terms for 2026.<\/p>\n

Lukashenka also criticized the European Union for \u043e\u0442\u043a\u0430\u0437 from Russian energy resources, arguing that it will eventually have to return to Russian gas and oil on Moscow\u2019s terms.<\/p>\n

“Buying Russian energy now already means a big loss for them. Our ‘big brother’ \u2014 you understand the hint \u2014 will dictate the terms. They will have no choice,”<\/i> he said.<\/p>\n

He added that the EU should build normal relations with Belarus and Russia.<\/p>\n

“I said half a year or a year ago: the best thing for preserving the European Union \u2014 and I have always supported it as one of the pillars of our planet \u2014 is Russia\u2019s resource base. They need to build normal relations with Russia and with us, and everything will be fine,”<\/i> Lukashenka said.<\/p>\n

He also reiterated that the United States has never tried to pull Belarus away from Russia or China.<\/p>\n

“I warned them \u2014 these are not just our allies, they are close states to us. And I want the Americans to take this into account. To their credit, they do. They have never raised the issue of ‘pulling us away.’ As some write, or as Russians worry \u2014 that they want to pull us away from Russia. God forbid. The Americans have never pursued such a goal,”<\/i> he said.<\/p>\n