Oh no doubt it is an issue, but Belarus doesn't want to give it away the right of way for free and would like to keep gas prices cheap ay home.I was more referring to large, state owned enterprises. Obviously, there are no kulak exproporiations or things of that nature. I am interested to hear though that Russian gas companies aren't a big player. I had read previously that with all the European pipeline expansion, they were becoming gradually a bigger deal in Belarus because of hostility from the Baltic states. Could be wrong on that, though.
This is why other routes are being proposed.
You also have to understand that said pipes would then have to go through Poland who also isn't the greatest of fans of Russia.
Russia might have the gas, but they really are not making friends with or with out it.