Belarus has resumed transit of Russian oil to Europe through the Druzhba pipeline after a three- day hiatus amid a trade dispute between Minsk and Moscow, the pipeline operator was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying early Thursday.

The resumption of Russian oil flows followed a Belarussian decision on Wednesday to cancel a customs duty it imposed on Russian oil exports, which was imposed after Russia slapped export duties on crude oil supplied to Belarus at the beginning of the year.

Moscow has tied the withdrawal of the transit duty to the start of any talks. The moves on Wednesday and early Thursday raised hopes the deadlock that has led to the disruption of oil flows to Europe could be resolved soon.

Source: Xinhua