EU countries lobby Brazil’s interests to lift sanctions on Belaruskali – opposition politician

May 23, BPN. Some European Union countries support lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash fertilizers, Pavieł Łatuška of the National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM) said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.

They reportedly represent Brazil’s interests which is the main buyer of Belarusian potash fertilizers, he noted.

The EU countries that are lobbying for the lifting of sanctions against the Belarusian potash giant Belaruskali cite food security and hunger in the world, he said without naming any of them. 

“If the sanctions [on potash] are lifted, [Alaksandr] Łukašenka will be able to generate about $1.5 billion in additional revenue annually,” Łatuška said. “Lithuania believes that he would be able to earn even $8 billion if the route to deliver Belarusian fertilizers to the world market is open again.”

The EU reportedly agreed on a new sanctions package that would eliminate all the loopholes that Belarusian authorities use to evade restrictions and supply goods to benefit Russia, Łatuška said. 

New restrictions would make Łukašenka miss out on some $200 million, the politician said noting ongoing discussions in Brussels and a firm position on sanctions by Poland and Lithuania.  

Over the past few years, the Western countries imposed sectoral sanctions on the Belarusian authorities for human rights abuses and their complicity in Russia’s war on Ukraine. Belaruskali has been under sanctions since 2021.

Officials in Minsk argue that sanctions, including on potash, should be lifted because of possible increases in the world’s famine levels. The EU started discussing lifting sanctions against Belaruskali in January.