Minsk seeks US assistance in influencing EU

October 22, Pozirk. Washington could use its influence with European Union member states to advance Minsk’s interests, Belarusian state-run media reported, citing Valancin Rybakoŭ, Belarus’ permanent representative to the United Nations.

The United States could help move “certain issues” related to Belarus’ cooperation with Europe in a more positive direction, the diplomat said today after meeting Alaksandar Łukašenka in Minsk.

The meeting reportedly focused on Minsk’s talks with Washington. Łukašenka noted “progress on many issues” but also acknowledged “certain problems.”

He said the Belarusian authorities were “strictly adhering to” their commitments to the United States, adding that Minsk had made clear to a US delegation that it expected Washington to honor its commitments in full as well.

Łukašenka’s reference to “certain problems” may relate to Washington’s failure to resolve the issue of potash transit through a Baltic country, possibly via Lithuania’s port of Klaipėda.

After visiting Minsk on September 15, US Special Envoy John Coale met with senior officials in Vilnius and Riga. He told The New York Times that a deal on potash fertilizers was at an advanced stage, adding that the United States wanted to buy Belarusian crop nutrients. He said he had met with the Lithuanian president and planned to meet with his Latvian counterpart in an effort to bring everyone onto the same page.

The New York Times reported that Washington hoped the EU would allow Belarus to resume potash transit through Lithuania, potentially helping to lower global prices.

However, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda made clear last month that Vilnius would not immediately lift sanctions.

“We have our position, and we have made it clear,” Delfi quoted him as saying. “In some cases, it aligns with the European Union’s position. The ban on the export of Belarusian fertilizers is in effect at the EU level. It has been extended for 12 months, and we will revisit the issue early next year, when Lithuania holds the presidency of the EU Council.”

EU sanctions against Belarus have been extended until February, with the measures due for review during Lithuania’s presidency of the EU Council.

Belarus previously also shipped potash fertilizers through Latvia’s port of Ventspils.

Meanwhile, Łukašenka’s claim that Minsk is strictly honoring its commitments is at odds with the situation on the ground. US envoy Coale has repeatedly called on Minsk to ease political repression, but no such easing has occurred.

Moreover, on September 15, Łukašenka made clear that he would not ease political repression.

He strongly denied the existence of political prisoners in Belarus, arguing that the country has no criminal laws specifically targeting political activity.

“If a citizen of Belarus or a non-citizen present here breaks Belarusian laws, we will surely respond according to law. If they deserve to be under investigation or at correctional labor colonies, they will be there,” he warned.

In September, Coale expressed optimism about his next visit to Belarus, saying he hoped to secure the release of at least 100 prisoners within a month. That deadline has passed, but no deal has been reached.

Politics

Politics

Łukašenka holding meeting with officials to assess progress on agreements with US

October 22, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka has urged Washington to follow its agreements with Minsk just as Belarus follows its agreements with the United States. He made the remarks at his meeting with Prime Minister Alaksandar Turčyn, Prosecutor General Dźmitryj Hara, …

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