The US is urging Ukraine to ease restrictions on the import of potash fertilizers from Belarus and is asking Kyiv to convince European countries to do the same. Sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg, according to UNN.
Details
Potash, a soil nutrient used to increase crop yields, was a major source of foreign exchange for Belarus before Western sanctions; however, exports were restricted due to political repression and support for Russia's war against Ukraine.
According to interlocutors who spoke on condition of anonymity, Washington believes that lifting the restrictions could help distance Belarus from Russia and improve relations with Minsk.
The US already partially eased its own restrictions on Belarusian fertilizers earlier this year as part of a deal in which Alexander Lukashenko's regime released hundreds of political prisoners.
US lifts sanctions on Belarusian potash - media19.03.26, 18:53
The Donald Trump administration seeks to restore relations with the authoritarian leader, who is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, without the lifting of European sanctions, the effect is limited, as Belarus cannot use traditional sea routes through Baltic Sea ports and is forced to rely on Russian ports and railways. Countries such as Poland and Lithuania play a key role in transit.
Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US State Department did not respond to the publication's requests for comment.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys reportedly stated at a closed meeting of the ruling party that the US is increasing pressure regarding potash transit in the region.
In response, he noted that "the situation is changing slightly; I can say that there is additional activity from the US side."
The Office of the President of Lithuania later clarified that there is no pressure from the US, and that these are only theoretical discussions. Lithuania does not plan to change the transit ban for reasons of national security and compliance with EU sanctions.
President Gitanas Nausėda stated that he supports the continuation of sanctions, as the Lukashenko regime has not changed its behavior and continues to help Russia. In 2022, Belarus allowed Russian troops to invade Ukraine from its territory.
Following US sanctions against the key supplier Belaruskali in 2021, Belarus reoriented its potash exports through Russia, strengthening its economic dependence on the Kremlin.
According to sources, even if US sanctions are eased, the effect will be limited without similar decisions from the EU, which prohibits the transit of Belarusian potash through Lithuania to the port of Klaipėda.
According to the interlocutors, there are currently no signs that the EU plans to soften sanctions against Belarus.