Milk War

{{short description|Belarus–Russia trade dispute}} {{About|the 2009 Belarus–Russia trade dispute|the DC Comics crossover|Milk Wars}} {{good article}} {{Infobox civil conflict | title = Milk War | image = В Минске состоялась встреча Министра обороны России с Президентом Белоруссии 01.jpg | caption = The flags of Russia (left) and Belarus (right) flying together. | date = 6–17 June 2009 | place = Union State | result = Belarusian victory * Russia lifts Belarusian dairy ban | side1 = {{flag|Russia}} | side2 = {{Flag|Belarus|1995}} | leadfigures1 = Dmitry Medvedev<br />Vladimir Putin<br />Gennady Onishchenko | leadfigures2 = Alexander Lukashenko<br />Sergei Sidorsky }} {{Russo-Georgian War}}

The '''Milk War''' was a trade conflict between Russia and Belarus in June 2009. Although Russia and Belarus have close relations, the conflict stemmed from Russia allegedly attempting to loan Belarus US$500 million to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia also expressed its interest in privatizing the Belarusian milk industry. Belarus responded by seeking negotiations with the European Union on certifying Belarusian milk according to EU regulations. Russia then banned the import of dairy products from Belarus, citing alleged health concerns. The trade conflict ended on June 17, 2009, when Russia announced that it would lift the ban.

Later in 2009, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko expressed regret for not supporting Russia in recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Belarusian House of Representatives sent a fact-finding mission to the disputed regions to study whether or not Belarus should provide diplomatic recognition. Georgia protested the mission and urged Belarus to maintain non-recognition.

Russia threatened another Milk War in 2013, and has reimposed temporary bans on Belarusian dairy products since. Bans were in place in June 2017, and from February 2018 until being mostly lifted in May 2019. Russian concerns include international sanctions that supposedly allow Belarus to take advantage of the market by producing products of inferior quality. In turn, Belarusian producers claim that Russia has imposed harsh obstacles on them. Belarus has objected to these trade wars, stating that they contribute to the country's international isolation.

== Background == {{See also|Belarus–Russia relations}} [[File:Map of Georgia with Abkhazia and South Ossetia highlighted.svg|thumb|left|Occupied territories of Georgia (Abkhazia and South Ossetia)]]

Belarus and Russia are two post-Soviet neighbors which are linked through a special treaty of alliance.<ref name="RFERL">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/Belarus_Russia_Solve_Milk_Row_Other_Problems_Loom/1758672.html|title=Belarus, Russia Solve Milk Row, Other Problems Loom|date=June 20, 2009|access-date=February 18, 2020|website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218175107/https://www.rferl.org/a/Belarus_Russia_Solve_Milk_Row_Other_Problems_Loom/1758672.html|archive-date=February 18, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Tensions between the two began in late 2006, with rising gas prices from Russia and Belarus beginning to reconcile with the European Union (EU).<ref name="Kyiv">{{Cite web|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/world/russia-bans-belarus-milk-products-as-tensions-rise-42932.html|title=Russia bans Belarus milk products as tensions rise|website=Kyiv Post|agency=Reuters|author=Sabina Zawadzki|date=June 6, 2009|access-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref> Belarus joined the Eastern Partnership, an initiative to improve economic and political relations between the EU and six post-Soviet states.<ref name="Time">{{Cite magazine|url=http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1904749,00.html|title=Russia-Belarus Relations Sour over Milk Ban|date=June 16, 2009|access-date=February 19, 2020|magazine=Time|author=Marina Kamenev|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812231430/http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1904749,00.html|archive-date=August 12, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The EU lifted its travel ban on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, despite maintaining the position that the 2006 Belarusian presidential election was rigged.<ref name="Time"/>

Following the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, Russia recognized the disputed regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/23/world/asia/nato-steps-back-into-the-ussr.html|title=NATO Steps Back Into the U.S.S.R.|website=The New York Times|date=May 22, 2014|access-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227184228/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/23/world/asia/nato-steps-back-into-the-ussr.html|archive-date=February 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Belarus was pressured to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states.<ref name="Time"/> At the time, only Russia and Nicaragua had extended diplomatic recognition to Abkhazia and South Ossetia.<ref name="NYT1"/> Belarus did not recognize Abkhazia or South Ossetia and began negotiations with the United States to release political prisoners.<ref name="Time"/> At times of strained relations, Russia has previously banned meat products from Poland, wine from Moldova, canned fish from Latvia and most agricultural products from Georgia.<ref name="Kyiv"/>

==Trade dispute== ===Putin's visit to Minsk=== [[File:Gennadiy_Onishchenko_2019.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Chief Sanitary Inspector Gennady Onishchenko advised Russia to place the ban on Belarusian dairy product imports]]

On May 29, 2009, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited Belarus's capital Minsk and offered the final US$500 million of a $2.4 billion<ref name="Time"/> loan under the condition that the loan would be paid in Russian rubles.<ref name="Politico">{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/the-milk-split-by-the-milk-war/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022044035/https://www.politico.eu/article/the-milk-split-by-the-milk-war/|archive-date=October 22, 2019|access-date=February 18, 2020|date=June 24, 2009|title=The milk split by the milk war|author=Vitali Siltski|website=Politico|url-status=live}}</ref> Lukashenko claimed that the loan was offered on the condition that Belarus would recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent.<ref name="reuter-1"/> Russian officials denied this<ref name="NYT1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/15/world/europe/15belarus.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915115329/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/15/world/europe/15belarus.html|archive-date=September 15, 2019|url-status=live|website=The New York Times|date=June 14, 2009|access-date=February 18, 2020|author=Ellen Barry|title='Milk War' Strains Russia-Belarus Ties}}</ref> and froze the loan,<ref name="reuter-1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-belarus/belarus-russia-rift-widens-minsk-snubs-moscow-meet-idUSTRE55D07I20090614|title=Belarus-Russia rift widens, Minsk snubs Moscow meet|date=June 14, 2009|access-date=February 18, 2020|website=Reuters|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190907070445/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-belarus/belarus-russia-rift-widens-minsk-snubs-moscow-meet-idUSTRE55D07I20090614|archive-date=September 7, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> with Russian politician Alexei Kudrin expressing concerns by claiming that Belarus could not afford to be economically independent by the year's end.<ref name="Politico"/> Frustrated by being economically dependent on Russia, Belarus refused to take the loan.<ref name="Politico"/> Following the cancellation of Russia's loan, Belarus secured a $1 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund.<ref name="Time"/>

During the visit, Russia also sought to have major Belarusian dairy producers privatized. Belarus responded immediately by beginning negotiations with the EU on certifying Belarusian milk standards according to EU regulations.<ref name="Politico"/> Russia reacted by sending health inspectors led by Chief Sanitary Inspector Gennady Onishchenko, who was previously responsible for banning food items from other post-Soviet states.<ref name="Politico"/> Onishchenko claimed that Belarusian dairy products lacked proper certification and advised Russia to ban all related imports.<ref name="Politico"/> Russian media began broadcasting the claims that Belarusian dairy products were a health hazard.<ref name="Politico"/>

===Dairy ban, CSTO boycott and negotiations=== ''The New York Times'' described Russia's health concerns as "a weapon in geopolitical disputes" that Russia commonly uses in trade disputes.<ref name="NYT">{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126234723/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/18/world/europe/18belarus.html|archive-date=January 26, 2018|url-status=live|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/18/world/europe/18belarus.html|title=Russia Ends Dairy Ban on Belarus|author=Clifford J. Levy|website=The New York Times|date=June 17, 2009|access-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref> On June 6, 2009, Russia banned around 1,200 milk and dairy products from Belarus.<ref name="NYT1"/> The ban was viewed as severely damaging to the Belarusian dairy industry, of which 95 percent of its exports go to Russia.<ref name="NYT1"/> However, a Belarusian official stated that it was "difficult to understand why these products were banned in such [a] loud and demonstrative way", reflecting that Russia had never approved them for import.<ref name="Kyiv"/> Russian officials denied that the ban was political.<ref name="NYT1"/> ''The New York Times'', Politico, and ''The Sunday Times'' have referred the trade conflict as the "milk war".<ref name="NYT1"/><ref name="Politico"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unian.info/world/232577-belarus-strongman-alexander-lukashenko-takes-on-ally-russia-in-milk-war.html|title=Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko takes on ally Russia in 'milk war'|website=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|date=June 15, 2009|access-date=February 27, 2020|author=''The Sunday Times'' Staff|archive-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227152137/https://www.unian.info/world/232577-belarus-strongman-alexander-lukashenko-takes-on-ally-russia-in-milk-war.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lukashenko called for his advisors to draw up a list of hypothetical economic threats Russia might impose on Belarus.<ref name="RFERL"/> The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ban was "discriminatory trade restrictions violating international agreements".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-40311520090613|date=June 13, 2009|access-date=February 18, 2020|title=Belarus leader may snub Moscow security meet|website=Reuters|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527021256/https://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-40311520090613|archive-date=May 27, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced Lukashenko's intentions to boycott the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) summit held in Moscow.<ref name="reuter-1"/> The summit was for the signing of a collective security agreement.<ref name="Uzb">{{cite journal |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322231224|author=Archil Chochia|date=December 1, 2009|title='Milk war' and 'Hot war': different wars – same goals|pages=90–103|journal=European Union: Current Political and Economic Issues|editor=Aksel Kirch|isbn=978-9949-430-35-2}}</ref> Russia viewed the summit as critical to countering NATO and Western influence in post-Soviet states.<ref name="NYT1"/> Lukashenko denounced the signing, arguing that any agreement was illegitimate without the participation of all member states; Uzbekistan was also absent from the summit.<ref name="Uzb"/>

Negotiations began on June 15, 2009.<ref name="Politico"/> The alleged health concerns about the dairy products were not brought up during negotiations.<ref name="Politico"/> On June 17, Russia announced that its ban of Belarusian dairy products would be lifted the next day.<ref name="NYT"/> Putin explained that the reasoning behind the Milk War was the amount of imported dairy products, with no mention of previous quality concerns.<ref name="Uzb"/> The number of Belarusian dairy products allowed to be imported into Russia was later doubled.<ref name="Uzb"/> Belarus dismantled customs posts established during the Milk War and withdrew thirty customs officers placed at the Belarus–Russia border.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-eu-belarus-russia-061709-2009jun17-story.html|title=Belarus removes customs posts on Russia's border|date=June 17, 2009|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218192420/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-eu-belarus-russia-061709-2009jun17-story.html|archive-date=February 18, 2020|website=The San Diego Union-Tribune|author=Sergei Grits|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the lifting of the ban, Andrew Wilson of the think-tank European Council on Foreign Relations declared Lukashenko the winner of the Milk War, but expressed concerns about Belarus's long-term survival.<ref name="RFERL"/> Vitali Silitski wrote for Politico that Russia would continue with efforts to remove Lukashenko from office.<ref name="Politico"/>

==Aftermath== ===Belarusian fact-finding in Abkhazia and South Ossetia=== In July 2009, the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a travel warning stating that citizens should only enter Abkhazia and South Ossetia through Georgia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eurasianet.org/belarus-only-travel-via-georgia-to-abkhazia-and-south-ossetia|title=Belarus: Only Travel via Georgia to Abkhazia and South Ossetia|date=July 23, 2009|access-date=February 27, 2020|website=Eurasianet|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227201007/https://eurasianet.org/belarus-only-travel-via-georgia-to-abkhazia-and-south-ossetia|archive-date=February 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> During a September 2009 meeting in Lithuania, Lukashenko stated that Belarus should have recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent long ago to support Russia.<ref name="UNPO">{{Cite web|url=https://unpo.org/article/10166|title=Abkhazia: Lukashenko Hints on Recognition of Abkhazia, South Ossetia|date=October 6, 2009|website=Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization|access-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027021729/https://unpo.org/article/10166/|archive-date=October 27, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Lukashenko blamed a "witch-hunt against Belarus" over the cancelled $500 million loan and that "some in [the Russian leadership] wanted to bend us over, or did not want us to recognize these republics at all."<ref name="UNPO"/>

In October 2009, Lukashenko praised Belarus's relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and stated that he needed to study their situation before deciding to recognize their independence.<ref name="UNPO"/> Chairman of the House of Representatives Vladimir Andreichenko announced that he'd "carry out an objective assessment" on Abkhazia and South Ossetia.<ref name="UNPO"/> Later in the month, Lukashenko expressed his opinion that Russia had no other choice but to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence based on "their rights to self-determination".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/archive/belarus-defends-russian-recognition-south-ossetia-abkhazia|title=Belarus Defends Russian Recognition of South Ossetia, Abkhazia|website=Voice of America|date=November 1, 2009|access-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227201001/https://www.voanews.com/archive/belarus-defends-russian-recognition-south-ossetia-abkhazia|archive-date=February 27, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> In November 2009, Belarus dispatched parliament members to Georgia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia to carry out the study.<ref name="Study">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/Georgia_Asks_Belarus_Not_To_Recognize_South_Ossetia_Abkhazia/1881595.html|title=Georgia Asks Belarus Not To Recognize South Ossetia, Abkhazia|website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=November 18, 2009|access-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227195958/https://www.rferl.org/a/Georgia_Asks_Belarus_Not_To_Recognize_South_Ossetia_Abkhazia/1881595.html|archive-date=February 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Georgia reacted by urging Belarus not to recognize the disputed regions as independent states.<ref name="Study"/>

=== Post–2009 developments === [[File:Alexander Lukashenko crop.jpeg|thumb|right|200px|In December 2010, leaked cables indicated that Alexander Lukashenko felt that he did not receive enough credit for not recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia despite Russian pressure]]

In December 2010, leaked US diplomatic cables indicated that Lukashenko had complained about the EU not giving him enough credit for resisting Russian pressure to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia.<ref name="Cable">{{Cite web|url=https://eurasianet.org/report-belarus-lukashenko-wants-credit-for-not-recognizing-abkhazia-and-south-ossetia|date=December 20, 2010|access-date=February 27, 2020|website=Eurasianet|author=Giorgi Lomsadze|title=Report: Belarus' Lukashenko Wants Credit for Not Recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227201917/https://eurasianet.org/report-belarus-lukashenko-wants-credit-for-not-recognizing-abkhazia-and-south-ossetia|archive-date=February 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The cables also indicated that Lukashenko expressed concerns that rising Russian gas prices would force Belarus to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia.<ref name="Cable"/> In March 2014, following the Russian annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, Lukashenko equated Belarus's stance towards recognizing Crimea's disputed status to its stance towards Abkhazia and South Ossetia.<ref name="Crimea">{{Cite web|url=http://president.gov.by/en/news_en/view/president-of-the-republic-of-belarus-alexander-lukashenko-answers-questions-of-mass-media-representatives-on-8348/|title=President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko answers questions of mass media representatives on 23 March 2014|date=March 23, 2014|access-date=February 27, 2020|website=The Official Internet Portal of the President of the Republic of Belarus|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227191019/http://president.gov.by/en/news_en/view/president-of-the-republic-of-belarus-alexander-lukashenko-answers-questions-of-mass-media-representatives-on-8348/|archive-date=February 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Lukashenko stated, "Crimea, just like Ossetia, Abkhazia and other regions, is not an independent state. Today Crimea is [''de facto''] part of the Russian Federation. No matter whether you recognize it or not, the fact remains."<ref name="Crimea"/> In March 2018, Paata Sheshelidze, president of the New Economic School – Georgia, reported that Georgia was continuously paying Belarus for its non-recognition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://belsat.eu/en/news/georgia-still-paying-belarus-for-non-recognition-of-abkhazia-and-south-ossetia/|date=March 3, 2018|access-date=February 27, 2020|title=Georgia still paying Belarus for non-recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia|website=Belsat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222154439/https://belsat.eu/en/news/georgia-still-paying-belarus-for-non-recognition-of-abkhazia-and-south-ossetia/|archive-date=December 22, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Russian checkbook diplomacy=== Since the Milk War, Russia has engaged in "checkbook diplomacy" and paid multiple states for their recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.<ref name="Bruise">{{Cite magazine|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/117238/tuvalu-bruises-russia-establishing-diplomatic-ties-georgia|title=This Tiny Pacific Island Nation Just Gave Russia a Big Bruise|author=Oliver Bullough|date=April 2, 2014|access-date=February 27, 2020|magazine=The New Republic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111015058/https://newrepublic.com/article/117238/tuvalu-bruises-russia-establishing-diplomatic-ties-georgia|archive-date=January 11, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2009, Venezuela became the third state to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent.<ref name="Fee">{{Cite journal|url=https://jamestown.org/program/venezuelas-multibillion-dollar-abkhazia-and-south-ossetia-recognition-fee/|title=Venezuela's Multibillion Dollar Abkhazia and South Ossetia Recognition Fee|date=September 17, 2009|access-date=February 27, 2020|journal=Eurasia Daily Monitor|volume=6|issue=170|publisher=Jamestown Foundation|author=Pavel Felgenhauer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228110226/https://jamestown.org/program/venezuelas-multibillion-dollar-abkhazia-and-south-ossetia-recognition-fee/|archive-date=February 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> A week later, Russia signed "multibillion dollar economic and arms trade deals" with Venezuela, described by the Jamestown Foundation as a "recognition fee".<ref name="Fee"/> In December 2009, Nauru became the fourth state to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent, which Georgia alleged was in return for a $50 million investment from Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-44730620091215|title=Pacific island recognises Georgian rebel region|date=December 15, 2009|access-date=February 27, 2020|website=Reuters|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002011500/https://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-44730620091215|archive-date=October 2, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> In May 2011, Vanuatu recognized Abkhazia; Vanuatuan politician Joe Natuman has stated that Russia gave Vanuatu $50 million for the recognition.<ref name="Bruise"/>

In October 2011, Tuvalu recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but later withdrew recognition in March 2014 after Georgia offered Tuvalu $250,000.<ref name="Bruise"/> Oliver Bullough, writing for ''The New Republic'', stated that Tuvalu's decision "could spell the end of a years-long diplomatic strategy that has cost Russia millions."<ref name="Bruise"/> Georgia has also given Fiji 200 computers to maintain non-recognition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2012/09/russias-checkbook-diplomacy-in-the-south-pacific/|title=Russia's "Checkbook Diplomacy" in the South Pacific|website=The Diplomat|date=September 17, 2012|access-date=February 27, 2020|author=Luke Hunt|archive-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227230115/https://thediplomat.com/2012/09/russias-checkbook-diplomacy-in-the-south-pacific/|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2018, Syria recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia; Russia has been providing Syria with military support to fight its civil war since 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44291091|title=Syria recognises Russian-backed Georgia regions|date=May 29, 2018|access-date=February 27, 2020|website=BBC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824023505/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44291091|archive-date=August 24, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Later trade disputes== ===2013 threat and 2017 temporary ban=== [[File:Rustam Minnikhanov official portrait.jpg|thumb|left|200px|In 2018, Rustam Minnikhanov's concerns for dairy farmers in Tatarstan coincided with another ban on Belarusian dairy products]]

In August 2013, Vladislav Baumgertner, CEO of Russian potash producer Uralkali, was arrested in Minsk for involvement in an alleged criminal scheme after Belarus invited him for talks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-08-26/uralkali-ceo-detained-in-belarus-on-charge-of-abuse-of-office|title=Potash Dispute Escalates as Uralkali CEO Held in Belarus|website=Bloomberg News|date=August 26, 2013|access-date=February 18, 2020|author1=Aliaksandr Kudrytski|author2=Yuliya Fedorinova|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518203052/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-08-26/uralkali-ceo-detained-in-belarus-on-charge-of-abuse-of-office|archive-date=May 18, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2013, Russia banned dairy imports from Lithuania, with Onishchenko citing quality concerns.<ref name="Lithuania">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-lithuania-trade-dairy-ban/25128943.html|title=Russia Suspends Dairy Imports From Lithuania|date=October 7, 2013|access-date=February 20, 2020|website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220155543/https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-lithuania-trade-dairy-ban/25128943.html|archive-date=February 20, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The ban was seen as an effort to put political pressure on Lithuania, which then held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, for planning to host an EU summit that would offer closer economic ties to several post-Soviet states.<ref name="Lithuania"/> Russia announced in December 2013 its intentions to lift the ban after Lithuania threatened to file a complaint to the World Trade Organization about a "milk war".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2013/12/24/russia-prepared-to-cease-milk-war-with-lithuania-a30788|title=Russia Prepared to Cease 'Milk War' With Lithuania|date=December 24, 2013|access-date=February 18, 2020|website=The Moscow Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218190944/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2013/12/24/russia-prepared-to-cease-milk-war-with-lithuania-a30788|archive-date=February 18, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2014, the restrictions were lifted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tass.com/economy/715335|title=Russian watchdog lifts import restrictions from Lithuanian dairy manufacturer|date=January 20, 2014|access-date=May 4, 2020|website=TASS|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504162918/https://tass.com/economy/715335|archive-date=May 4, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2014, the EU and US imposed sanctions on Russia because of its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.<ref name="BRT">{{Cite web|url=https://russiabusinesstoday.com/agriculture/russia-bans-dairy-imports-belarus/|title=Russia Bans Dairy Imports from Belarus|date=February 23, 2018|access-date=February 18, 2020|website=Russia Business Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219033756/https://russiabusinesstoday.com/agriculture/russia-bans-dairy-imports-belarus/|archive-date=February 19, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Russia responded by banning the import of certain foods from Western countries.<ref name="BRT"/> Russia has accused Belarus of exploiting this situation by making substandard goods for export to Russia, while Belarusian producers say that Russia has intentionally created trade barriers.<ref name="BRT"/> In June 2017, Russia placed a ban on cheese produced by Belarusian companies Belsyr and Shchuchin Creamery, citing fraud with labeling inconsistencies.<ref name="Cheese">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2017/06/15/Russia-lifts-ban-on-two-Belarus-cheese-companies|website=The Daily Reporter|date=June 15, 2017|access-date=February 18, 2020|title=Russia lifts ban on two Belarus cheese companies' products|author=Jim Cornall|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219033137/https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2017/06/15/Russia-lifts-ban-on-two-Belarus-cheese-companies|archive-date=February 19, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Russia lifted the ban later in the month.<ref name="Cheese"/> From 2016 to 2017, exports of Belarusian dairy products to Russia decreased by 12.8%.<ref name="Digest">{{Cite web|url=https://belarusdigest.com/story/shrinking-economic-freedom-and-milk-war-with-russia-belarusian-economic-digest/|title=Shrinking economic freedom and milk war with Russia|date=March 6, 2018|access-date=February 20, 2020|website=BelarusDigest|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408223608/https://belarusdigest.com/story/shrinking-economic-freedom-and-milk-war-with-russia-belarusian-economic-digest/|archive-date=April 8, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2018–2019 dairy ban=== {{Quote box | align = right | width = 25em |quote = We don't have an embargo on Belarusian milk per se [...] I think as soon as [Belarusian] enterprises solve the problem, they will immediately have the restrictions lifted. And there will be no problem. It's just a matter of time. |author = Artyom Belov, Director General of the National Dairy Producers Union<ref name="Embargo"/> }} On February 16, 2018, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov met with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and expressed his concerns that local farmers were suffering losses because dairy production had been shifted to cheaper labor for milk powder in Belarus.<ref name="Tatar">{{Cite web|url=https://realnoevremya.com/articles/2220-the-ban-on-dairy-products-from-belarus-wont-lead-to-higher-prices|title=Russian boycott of Belarusian dairy: about how Tatarstan saving agriculture, and Rosselkhoznadzor — the health of Russians|date=February 27, 2018|access-date=February 18, 2020|website=Realnoe Vremya|author=Daria Turtseva|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219041825/https://realnoevremya.com/articles/2220-the-ban-on-dairy-products-from-belarus-wont-lead-to-higher-prices|archive-date=February 19, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 20, Medvedev made a public call for Russia to prioritize its domestic dairy industry, specifically in Tatarstan, instead of depending on other Eurasian Economic Union members.<ref name="Tatar"/> Medvedev instructed Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich to draw up an economic proposal for the dairy industry.<ref name="Tatar"/> Two days later,<ref name="Tatar"/> Russia temporarily banned some Belarusian dairy products, citing health concerns.<ref name="BRT"/> Deputy of the State Duma Ayrat Khairullin raised his suspicions that Belarusian dairy products which entered Russia for delivery to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan were instead being illegally delivered to Russian plants, citing irregularities in transport.<ref name="Tatar"/>

On March 1, 2018, Lukashenko acknowledged the ban.<ref name="Digest"/> On April 24, 2018, Lukashenko delivered his State of the Nation Address and criticized both Western nations and Russia for contributing to Belarus's isolation.<ref name="Address">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-lukashenka-has-harsh-words-for-russia-west--and-warning-for-moscow/29189360.html|title=Belarusian Leader Has Harsh Words For Russia, West -- And Warning For Moscow|date=April 24, 2018|access-date=February 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204053455/https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-lukashenka-has-harsh-words-for-russia-west--and-warning-for-moscow/29189360.html|website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|archive-date=December 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In the address, Lukashenko called out "those milk, meat, and sugar wars our closest partner has launched against us in order to block our goods from entering the Russian market".<ref name="Address"/> Prices for Russian raw milk rose during the summer of 2018.<ref name="Embargo">{{Cite web|url=https://realnoevremya.com/articles/3540-interview-with-the-director-general-of-the-national-dairy-producers-union|title=Artyom Belov: "The reduction in dairy imports enabled Russian producers to develop"|date=May 20, 2019|access-date=February 19, 2020|website=Realnoe Vremya|author=Alina Gubaidullina|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220122619/https://realnoevremya.com/articles/3540-interview-with-the-director-general-of-the-national-dairy-producers-union|archive-date=February 20, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2019, the ban on the import of milk in bulk from Belarus to Russia was lifted.<ref name="UAWire">{{Cite web|url=https://uawire.org/russia-continues-to-restrict-the-import-of-belarusian-products|website=UAWire|title=Russia continues to restrict the import of Belarusian products|date=May 9, 2019|access-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511203943/https://uawire.org/russia-continues-to-restrict-the-import-of-belarusian-products|archive-date=May 11, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the ban on some Belarusian dairy products remained in place.<ref name="Embargo"/><ref name="UAWire"/> {{clear}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

Category:2009 in politics Category:2009 in Belarus Category:2009 in Russia Category:Belarus–Russia relations Category:2009 in international relations Category:Russian boycotts of countries Category:Trade wars Category:June 2009 in Europe Category:Dairy industry Category:Agriculture in Belarus