Russia Halts Oil Exports Through Belarus

MINSK, Belarus — Russian oil exports to Europe via neighboring Belarus were halted yesterday as a bitter trade dispute between Moscow and Minsk spilled over into several European countries, including Germany and Poland.

The E.U. energy chief, Andris Piebalgs, said the situation posed "no immediate risk" to energy supplies in the European Union. However, Germany, which holds the E.U. presidency, called for the oil deliveries through a pipeline that transits Belarus to be resumed "as quickly as possible."

The impact of a short-term stoppage is likely to be minimal, as refineries in the E.U. maintain strategic oil stocks.

Yet the disruption to Russian oil supplies to Europe once again highlighted concerns about European energy reliance on Russia.