Lithuania may resume Belarus’ potash transit after deployment of more US troops – official

December 16, Pozirk. Lithuania may resume transit of Belarusian potash fertilizers after deployment of additional US military forces in the country, LRT reports, citing Deividas Matulionis, the Lithuanian president’s chief national security advisor.
Washington is not pressuring Vilnius to take any additional steps. However, if it decides to purchase potash fertilizers from Belarus, the question of how to transport them will arise, he noted.
“If we were to take any action in this direction, it would likely have to be linked to an increased US military presence,” Matulionis said. “If these fertilizers are essentially American and destined for the US market, then we should be aligned with US interests, not at odds with Washington.”
Vilnius should focus on pursuing pragmatic interests rather than politicizing Belarusian fertilizer transit, the official added.
Lithuania banned the transit of Belarusian fertilizers in early 2022 in line with US sanctions, while the European Union adopted similar restrictions later.
Washington announced that it will be lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash fertilizers following the meeting between Aleksandar Łukašenka and John Coale, US special envoy to Belarus. Negotiations in Minsk on December 12 and 13 also resulted in the release of 123 designated political prisoners, including prominent opposition figures and politicians.
Yesterday, the US Treasury published the general license authorizing transactions involving the Belarusian Potash Company, potash giant Biełaruskalij and its subsidiary Agrorozkvit LLC.
Washington to lift sanctions on Belarusian potash fertilizers – envoy
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja awards medals to Ukrainian, Luxembourg MPs in LondonThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights defenders say nearly 9,800 people faced reprisals since 2020The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyBelarus' border guards find dead foreigner near shared border with LatviaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsViasna reports dozens of raids linked to exiled university’s extremist designationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- SocietyBelarus reports fivefold increase in bison population over 20 yearsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsSinger who declined pro-Łukašenka performances released after 14 days in jailThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyOfficials play down bear attack fears despite reported incidentsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityRussia-led military bloc to hold peacekeeping, biosecurity drills in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarusian experts clearing landmines in Kursk province, governor saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Probe finds more children poisoned with food in Minsk regionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsRussian FM to visit Minsk in mid-JuneThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBaranavičy police being trained to suppress protestsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Society
- Politics, SecurityLatvia reports 32-month high in irregular crossings via BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: KGB harassing students, alumni, lecturers of blacklisted universityThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyLithuania sues Belarus over irregular migrationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society


