{"id":208559,"date":"2026-10-22T16:23:26","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T13:23:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/208559\/"},"modified":"2026-10-22T16:23:28","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T13:23:28","slug":"minsk-seeks-us-assistance-in-influencing-eu","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/news\/208559","title":{"rendered":"Minsk seeks US assistance in influencing EU"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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October 22, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> Washington could use its influence with European Union member states to advance Minsk\u2019s interests, Belarusian state-run media reported, citing Valancin Rybako\u016d, Belarus\u2019 permanent representative to the United Nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The United States could help move \u201ccertain issues\u201d related to Belarus\u2019 cooperation with Europe in a more positive direction, the diplomat said today after meeting Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka in Minsk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The meeting reportedly focused on Minsk\u2019s talks with Washington. \u0141uka\u0161enka noted \u201cprogress on many issues\u201d but also acknowledged \u201ccertain problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said the Belarusian authorities were \u201cstrictly adhering to\u201d their commitments to the United States, adding that Minsk had made clear to a US delegation that it expected Washington to honor its commitments in full as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s reference to \u201ccertain problems\u201d may relate to Washington\u2019s failure to resolve the issue of potash transit through a Baltic country, possibly via Lithuania\u2019s port of Klaip\u0117da.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After visiting Minsk on September 15, US Special Envoy John Coale met with senior officials in Vilnius and Riga. He told The New York Times<\/em> that a deal on potash fertilizers was at an advanced stage, adding that the United States wanted to buy Belarusian crop nutrients. He said he had met with the Lithuanian president and planned to meet with his Latvian counterpart in an effort to bring everyone onto the same page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The New York Times<\/em> reported that Washington hoped the EU would allow Belarus to resume potash transit through Lithuania, potentially helping to lower global prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus\u0117da made clear last month that Vilnius would not immediately lift sanctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have our position, and we have made it clear,\u201d Delfi<\/em> quoted him as saying. \u201cIn some cases, it aligns with the European Union\u2019s position. The ban on the export of Belarusian fertilizers is in effect at the EU level. It has been extended for 12 months, and we will revisit the issue early next year, when Lithuania holds the presidency of the EU Council.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EU sanctions against Belarus have been extended until February, with the measures due for review during Lithuania\u2019s presidency of the EU Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarus previously also shipped potash fertilizers through Latvia\u2019s port of Ventspils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s claim that Minsk is strictly honoring its commitments is at odds with the situation on the ground. US envoy Coale has repeatedly called on Minsk to ease political repression, but no such easing has occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, on September 15, \u0141uka\u0161enka made clear that he would not ease political repression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He strongly denied the existence of political prisoners in Belarus, arguing that the country has no criminal laws specifically targeting political activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf a citizen of Belarus or a non-citizen present here breaks Belarusian laws, we will surely respond according to law. If they deserve to be under investigation or at correctional labor colonies, they will be there,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In September, Coale expressed optimism about his next visit to Belarus, saying he hoped to secure the release of at least 100 prisoners within a month. That deadline has passed, but no deal has been reached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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