TODAY: Belarus dispute threatens relations; Saudi Arabia offered Russia oil deal over Syria; energy diversity for Moldova; Ponomaryov to pay Skolkovo; Putin is lonely, depicted as gay in confiscated paintings; home of gay rights activist raided; tycoons bid for Sheremetyevo contract; TMK and pension losses.

Russia’s dispute with Belarus over their joint potash venture is threatening to turn into a ‘major diplomatic row’, as the Foreign Ministry demanded that Belarus release Uralkali head, Vladislav Baumgertner, from detention.  ‘It seems Baumgertner is being held hostage, but the real reason why isn’t clear,’ said one analyst, adding that ‘Belarus may seek to use the conflict as an excuse for its looming economic problems’.  Saudi Arabia reportedly offered to work with Russia to ‘put together a Russian-Saudi unified strategy on the subject of oil’, in a bid to break the deadlock over Syria, whilst speculation that tensions in Syria will disrupt oil supplies has already sent U.S. crude to an 18-month high.  Moldova is taking steps towards diversifying its energy supply away from Russia, opening its first pipeline link to supplies in Europe. ‘This is a historic day.’  State Duma Deputy Ilya Ponomaryov has been ordered by the Moscow District Court to pay $82,000 to the Skolkovo Foundation for failing to meet the terms of his contract over a series of lectures.