Lithuania Faces US Pressure to Resume Belarus Potash Exports Despite Sanctions
US Pressure and Lithuania's Stance on Belarus Potash Exports
By Andrius Sytas
US Involvement and Lithuanian Response
VILNIUS, May 14 (Reuters) - The United States is pressing Lithuania to allow Belarus to use its main port to ship fertiliser exports, currently subject to EU sanctions, the Baltic nation's foreign minister said on Thursday.
Statements from Lithuanian Officials
Asked whether the U.S. is pressuring Vilnius to resume the exports, foreign minister Kestutis Budrys said: "The situation is changing... I have always said that there is no such activity, but today I can say that yes, additional activity has appeared, from the U.S."
However, Budrys told reporters that Lithuania backs EU sanctions on Belarusian potash and would not discuss resuming exports while they remain in force.
The U.S. embassy in Vilnius did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Background on Belarus Potash Exports and Sanctions
History of Sanctions and Export Routes
Lithuania in 2022 halted all exports by Belaruskali, the world's second-largest producer of the crop fertiliser, after the state-run company was sanctioned by the U.S. in response to a crackdown that followed a disputed presidential election in which President Alexander Lukashenko declared a victory.
Klaipeda Port and International Customers
Belarus used Lithuania's Klaipeda port to export potash, a big cash earner for the landlocked country, to customers which include India, China and Brazil.
EU and US Sanctions Timeline
The European Union also sanctioned Belarusian potash in 2022, in response to the country helping Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.
The U.S. sanctions were removed in March, as Belarus released 250 prisoners in a deal brokered by the United States. The European sanctions are valid until February 2027 and can be extended.
International Reactions and Future Implications
US Perspective on Resuming Exports
U.S. President Donald Trump's Belarus envoy John Coale told Lithuanian national broadcaster LRT in March the resumption of potash exports through Lithuania would be beneficial to the United States.
(Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius, Editing by William Maclean)
