International oil and gas concern Vitol can refuse to transfer Venezuelan oil to Belarus through the Latvian sea port Ventspils in order to keep good relationship with Russia. This was admitted by the Mayor of Ventspils Aivars Lembergs.
According to Delfi, Lembergs stated that Venspils sea port was interested in the Belarusian offer and was best prepared for oil transportation in comparison with the sea ports of other Baltic States. However, it was necessary for Vitol to obtain permit for conducting the activity which could influence the environment, in order to reship Venezuelan oil. This was the reason why Venezuelan oil-tanker had not arrived to Ventspils back in July.
According to Aivars Lembergs, the oil could be transported to Belarus not via train, but through the tube. However, the owner of the tube the company LatRosTrans, which is controlled by Russia's "Transneft", is strongly unwilling to let Belarus solve its oil problems behind Russia's back.
The main Vitol' clients are in Russia so the company, according to Lembergs, does not want to spoil relationship with the Russian Federation.
