Russia Cabinet told to weigh output cut

MOSCOW – President
Vladimir Putin ordered his Cabinet on Tuesday to consider a possible reduction in oil output amid a dispute with Belarus over a halt in transit of Russian oil to Europe

Belarusian officials in Moscow for talks with Russia on the dispute said they had been unable to start negotiations and called for talks without conditions.

Russian officials have said talks could only begin if Belarus annuls an oil transit fee it announced in retaliation for Russia’s imposition of a duty on oil exports to Belarus.

AP