{"id":176507,"date":"2026-02-20T12:17:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T09:17:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/176507\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"eu-sanctions-extension-to-rule-out-belarus-potash-transit-budrys","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/176507\/","title":{"rendered":"EU sanctions extension to rule out Belarus potash transit \u2013 Budrys"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n \"\"\n
\n
\n\n Potash fertilizers\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (clearerimages.com)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

February 20, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>Discussions about a possible resumption of Belarusian potash fertilizer transit via Lithuania will make no sense once the European Union renews sanctions against Belarus, Lithuanian Foreign Minister K\u0119stutis Budrys told LRT<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The official evaluated the likelihood of sanctions being extended at 95 percent. The EU Council is expected to make its decision next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Budrys also expressed hope that the EU Foreign Affairs Council will approve the 20th package of sanctions against Russia in connection with its aggression against Ukraine, including the extension of some restrictions against Belarus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNext week, the sanctions issue will be off the table,\u201d the minister said. \u201cWe\u2019ll focus on what Belarus promised the United States \u2014 fixing the problem with [air] balloons [used for smuggling from Belarus]. We will see how the situation develops. The European Commission is taking new action regarding our trucks, which are still held [by Belarus].\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this month, Budrys stressed that Lithuania has not changed its position on the original causes of sanctions against Belarus, and he therefore sees no reason to lift them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lithuania banned the transit of Belarusian fertilizers in early 2022 in line with US sanctions, while the European Union adopted similar restrictions later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washington announced that it will be lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash fertilizers following the meeting between Aleksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka and John Coale, US special envoy to Belarus. Negotiations in Minsk last December resulted in the release of 123 designated political prisoners, including prominent opposition figures and politicians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later, the US Treasury published the general license<\/a> authorizing transactions involving the Belarusian Potash Company, potash giant Bie\u0142aruskalij and its subsidiary Agrorozkvit LLC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tensions between Belarus and Lithuania have been rising since mid-October 2025 over an influx of cigarette-smuggling balloons that have forced Lithuanian authorities to briefly close the border on several occasions and suspend operations at Vilnius Airport, located close to the Belarusian border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In response, Minsk barred Lithuania-registered trucks from leaving the country and ordered them to move to guarded parking sites. Lithuania, in turn, accused Belarus of escalation by seizing the vehicles and preventing their return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of early January, Belarus was still holding hundreds of Lithuanian trucks, according to LINAVA, the Lithuanian National Road Carriers Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n
\n \"\"
\n

EU to extend sanctions against Belarus by a year<\/h3>\n
February 19, Pozirk. The European Union is set to extend individual and sectoral sanctions against Belarus by one year, Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus\u0117da told journalists on February 19, Delfi reported. \u201cIf someone is thinking is under a delusion that sanctions …<\/div>\n \n