Lithuanian Foreign Ministry: Sanctions Against Belarusian Potash Will Remain In Force

The decision was made by the EU.

Lithuania is negotiating with the United States on the transit of Belarusian potash. However, the EU sanctions on these supplies will remain in force for almost a year. Thus, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kiastutis Budrys commented on the information about the unofficial letter from the U.S. State Department.

It was reported earlier that the United States offered Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine to lift sanctions on the supply of Belarusian potash fertilizers and lobby for the removal of these sanctions in the European Union.

"I can confirm that we are negotiating with the United States on this topic. This issue is on the agenda, we take into account different opinions. However, I would like to note that until next year - the end of February 2027 - the sanctions against Belarus are valid on potash fertilizers, there are no ways, means or grounds to reconsider anything at the level of the European Union. This is not only Lithuania's position - this is the European position. If there will be such discussions or if there will be such discussions about the extension of sanctions, of course, we will take into account all the opinions of our partners," LRT reports Budrys' response.

He did not confirm that Lithuania had received the US State Department's letter. The minister only said that Lithuania has "various relations with the State Department or other US institutions."

But Budrys emphasized that the decision on sanctions was not at the level of one state - it was made by the European Union. "This is not a national decision. It's not even a decision of the regional states bordering Belarus: Latvia, Poland, Lithuania. Even if the three of us make a decision, it means nothing. Any other decision requires the unanimity of 27 states."

At the same time, he said that he sees no point in expanding sanctions at the moment: "In my opinion, to consider something at the moment without having the legal and political conditions for it is a waste of time."

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