Economic relations between Russia and Belarus would never be cloudless

Economic relations between Russia and Belarus have never been cloudless. Recently, the main stumbling block remains the scheme for levying value added tax (VAT) on trade between the two countries. As a rule, countries charge VAT (if they want to, of course) only when goods are imported into their territory. There will be a profit for both the budget and protection for domestic producers that does not contradict WTO rules. No sensible government imposes VAT on the export of its goods. Otherwise, they will be uncompetitive in world markets. In trade with countries of the so-called far abroad, Russia has done this from the very beginning (another thing is that it is not so easy for exporters to obtain a VAT refund from the Ministry of Taxes). However, in trade with the CIS countries everything was exactly the opposite. VAT was taken not from imported, but from exported goods. The fact is that prices for Russian energy resources (and this is the main article of Russian export) in the CIS countries for a long time, for various reasons, were significantly lower than the world prices. And the Russian budget raised money for VAT. However, back, as is customary all over the world, VAT began to be levied only on imported goods (although a number of export exemptions still remain). But not in the case of Belarus. After all, this country, firstly, wants to create a single state with Russia. But there is no export within a single territory. Secondly, from May 1, 2002, Belarus began to receive gas at domestic Russian prices. True, not the average, which currently amounts to $15-17 per 1 thousand cubic meters. m, and at the highest, so-called fifth-zone prices. Thus, from May 1, gas is supplied to the territory of Belarus at a price of 660 rubles. against the previously existing $30 (more than 900 rubles), and from July 1, taking into account the indexation carried out in Russia, the price increased to 759.6 rubles. In this situation, it is clearly too early for the Russian budget to refuse export VAT. For comparison: gas supplies to Germany are priced above $80 per 1 thousand cubic meters. m.
Minsk is not happy with the current situation with VAT. And to begin with, he demands compensation for annual budget losses of $100 million arising from overpayments for Russian gas and oil. For some reason, people in Minsk forget that Belarusian goods are not subject to VAT when imported into Russia.

Newspaper "Kommersant" No. 143 dated 08/14/2002, p. 2

Minsk demands $100 million from Moscow