Lithuania claims the U.S. is pressuring it to resume the transit of Belarusian fertilizers — LRT
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys stated that the United States is pressuring the Lithuanian government to resume the transit of Belarusian potash fertilizers through Lithuanian territory.
This was reported by LRT.
However, it is Lithuania’s railway and port infrastructure that is considered the most advantageous and economically attractive route for Belaruskali’s products on their way to global markets.
Washington is considering several options for legalizing this process, some of which are quite questionable from the perspective of sanctions policy.
One of the scenarios under discussion involves an American company purchasing the fertilizers and subsequently relabeling them as “made in the U.S.,” while another involves transporting them under the guise of “humanitarian aid.”
Lithuanian officials currently hold a firm stance, emphasizing the legal impossibility of such operations.
They point out that the transit of Belarusian fertilizers is directly restricted by European Union sanctions, which were officially extended for another 12 months in February of this year.
The transit of potash salts through Lithuania was completely halted in 2022 following the imposition of U.S. restrictions against the Lukashenko regime for systematic human rights violations.
However, following the recent release of a number of political prisoners in Belarus, the U.S. decided to ease its sanctions policy, which shifted the balance of interests.
Kęstutis Budrys expressed concern that Minsk could take advantage of the thaw in relations with Washington to increase pressure specifically on neighboring Lithuania.
According to the minister, the situation requires the utmost vigilance to prevent the authoritarian regime from restoring its financial flows through European territory.
Latvia and Lithuania are ready to host more U.S. troops
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that she does not support a possible U.S. decision to withdraw American troops from the country.
Trump announced further troop reductions in Germany.
