Lithuanian FM rules out EU participation in potential US-Belarus potash deal

September 22, Pozirk. No European Union member state participate in a deal being negotiated by Washington to import Belarusian potash fertilizers, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has told LRT.

“What is happening between the US and Belarus is a bilateral issue,” he said, reacting to US President Donald Trump’s announced intention to buy potash fertilizers from Belarus. “The sanctions the US is lifting are not directly related to the actions of the EU and its sanctions policy.”

Budrys said he warned US officials that current EU sanctions prohibit the bloc not only from importing Belarusian fertilizers but also from facilitating their transit through the EU member states. “It doesn’t matter who owns the potash fertilizers, which companies ship them, or in which country they are registered. Potash fertilizers mined in Belarus cannot end up on EU territory,” the diplomat stressed.

The EU cannot ease sanctions as long as the reasons for imposing them, including human rights violations, suppression of the opposition and support for Russia’s war on Ukraine, remain in place, Budrys said when asked whether the US could pressure Lithuania or the EU to revise the restrictions.

Budrys also noted that, so far, all of Washington’s attempts to improve relations with Belarus have resulted in nothing but more aggressive behavior by Minsk along the border with NATO countries.

Minsk and Washington have been discussing possible potash exports to the US as part of their talks that have resulted in the release of hundreds of Belarusian political prisoners and the removal of some US sanctions against Belarus.

On September 16, Minsk freed 25 political prisoners following a meeting between Alaksandar Łukašenka and John Coale, the US special envoy for Belarus, in exchange for Washington lifting sanctions on two producers of paints and varnishes.

Coale had reportedly hoped to secure the release of 200 to 300 political prisoners, while Łukašenka said that he was open to both “small and grand bargains” with the US president, including agreements on shipments of Belarusian potash fertilizers.

Economy Politics

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