September 12, Pozirk. The United States is not demanding that Lithuania lift sanctions against Belarus following the Washington-Minsk talks that led to the release of 52 prisoners yesterday, Delfi reported, citing Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys.
“I can assure you this issue is not on the table. The sanctions imposed will remain in place. Until the reasons for imposing them are resolved, there will be no discussions,” he said.
Washington’s negotiations with Minsk on the release of jailed Belarusian dissidents “do not oblige Lithuania to alter its policies,” the minister added.
Lithuania joined the European Union’s sanctions on Belarus and introduced its own measures over Minsk’s support for Russia’s war on Ukraine, Budrys said. If Brussels eases its restrictions, Vilnius may convert them into national ones, he added.
Yesterday, Alaksandar Łukašenka pardoned more than 50 designated political prisoners, including six Lithuanians, after meeting with John Coale, US deputy special envoy to Ukraine. Washington lifted sanctions on Belarus’ Biełavia airline in return.
