Lithuania has denied claims that the U.S. is pressuring it over Belarusian fertilizers
The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Minister Kęstutis Budrys did not mention any pressure from the United States regarding the resumption of Belarusian fertilizer transit. The ministry explained that the minister’s remarks had been misinterpreted in media reports.
The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially denied reports that Minister Kęstutis Budrys had allegedly spoken of pressure from the United States regarding the resumption of exports of Belarusian potash fertilizers. The ministry even changed the wording of the news headline, emphasizing that the claim regarding a “statement” was incorrect.
The ministry emphasized that the minister did not speak of direct pressure from Washington. Instead, his comment concerned changes in the international dynamics and increased U.S. activity on this issue. “The foreign minister did not state that the U.S. is exerting pressure regarding the resumption of Belarusian potash exports. The minister said: ‘The situation is changing... I have always said that there are no such actions, but today I can say that, yes, there has been additional activity on the part of the U.S.,’” the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry’s statement reads.
Officials in Vilnius emphasized that the discussion was not about political pressure, but merely about a shift in context and the intensification of diplomatic contacts. The controversy arose after international media outlets reported the minister’s comments in various interpretations, prompting the need for an official clarification of the position.
In Lithuania, there is renewed talk of a threat from Belarus. On the night of May 13, weather balloons launched from Belarusian territory entered the country’s airspace. Because of this, Vilnius Airport was even forced to temporarily restrict operations.
