Kyiv is feverishly looking for a replacement for Belarusian oil products
Ukraine supposedly can replace 80% of the gasoline it imports from Belarus, and diesel will have to be purchased in other countries.
This was stated at a press conference in Kyiv by Andrian Prokop, an expert on the Energy program at the Ukrainian Institute of the Future, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“Alexander Lukashenko threatened to stop the supply of petroleum products to Ukraine back in the summer. Realizing that this was a shot in the foot, Belarusian oil refiners disowned such an initiative. In response, the Kremenchug Refinery began preparations to increase processing.
After Lukashenko’s latest statement, the Kremenchug Oil Refinery announced that it was ready to increase its refining volume by 80% and begin launching gasoline of the highest standard. And in principle, Kremenchug is able to almost completely cover the need for gasoline,” he assures.
“The situation with diesel is much more difficult, given that the volume of diesel consumption is greater. In this case, if we are talking about import substitution, then this is sea transshipment and supplies from the continental part of Europe. We have more than enough transshipment capacity to cover import needs. But another risk appears - blocking sea routes, although shipping operators say that fairways have been found in which they can sail.
Ukraine should have gone in a different direction long ago and strengthened oil refining. At least two oil refineries that are standing can be modernized. Our only large oil refinery is now jointly owned by the state and one oligarch.
There is a conversation and a plan for the division of Ukrnafta, and it may happen that Ukrnafta will remain in private hands. And the state does not have the opportunity to influence the oil products market through its oil refining. This is a risk for Ukrainian energy security. Ukraine would have to go by modernizing one or two refineries. This will provide significant savings compared to imports - we will feel the macroeconomic effect in three years,” the expert dreams.
Kyiv is frantically searching for a replacement for Belarusian oil products.