{"id":194742,"date":"2026-07-07T12:37:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T09:37:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/194742\/"},"modified":"2026-07-07T12:37:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T09:37:35","slug":"cichanouskaja-on-potash-transit-security-interests-to-guide-all-decisions","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/194742\/","title":{"rendered":"Cichano\u016dskaja on potash transit: security interests to guide all decisions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

July 7, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>Washington’s stance on the transit of Belarusian potash fertilizers should not be viewed as guidance for Poland, Lithuania or Ukraine, as these countries have their own security interests, Belarusian opposition leader \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja told LRT<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarus\u2019 western neighbors understand better than anyone else what it means to live next to Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s regime closely allied with Russia, she said in a comment on the US appeal to these countries to allow the transit of Belarusian potash through their territories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any discussions on lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash fertilizers must be tied to specific conditions, including the release of all designated political prisoners, an end to reprisals, a halt to support for Russia’s aggression and hybrid attacks, the politician stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA month ago, I was in Kyiv, and during our bilateral meeting, President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had no intention of allowing the transit of potash fertilizers through Ukraine,\u201d Cichano\u016dskaja said. \u201cI would urge other countries to show solidarity with Ukraine. Otherwise, easing sanctions will only strengthen the regime and fuel the Russian war machine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cichano\u016dskaja warned that Belarus\u2019 neighbors should consider the security risks of easing sanctions, saying \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s promises cannot be trusted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lithuanian officials regularly deny reports of pressure from Washington regarding the resumption of transit of Belarusian potash fertilizers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are sufficient indications that the Belarusian regime has not transformed, as Minsk continues to actively support Russia, Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus\u0117da said two months ago, pledging to advocate for the extension of European sanctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The US lifted sanctions on Bie\u0142investbank, the Development Bank of Belarus, the Ministry of Finance, the Bie\u0142aru\u015bkalij potash giant and Belarusian Potash Company after \u0141uka\u0161enka freed 250 jailed dissidents following talks with John Coale, the US special envoy for Belarus, on March 19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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