US Urges Ukraine to Support Easing Belarus Potash Sanctions

May 22 ------ The US is pressing Ukraine to relax restrictions on imports of Belarusian potash fertilizers and has asked Kyiv to encourage European countries to follow suit.

According to Bloomberg’s report, Washington has argued that allowing Belarusian potash back into wider markets could help reduce Minsk’s economic dependence on Moscow and create an opening for improved relations with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, people familiar with the discussions said. Potash is a key fertilizer ingredient, and Belarus has long been one of the world’s major producers. The request follows earlier US sanctions relief for Belarusian potash firms. In March, Washington removed sanctions after Belarus released 250 prisoners in a deal brokered by the US. However, European restrictions remain in force.

The EU sanctioned Belarusian potash in 2022 after Minsk supported Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and those measures are valid until February 2027, with the possibility of extension. The main logistical obstacle is Lithuania. Before sanctions, Belarus used Lithuania’s Klaipeda port to export potash to major buyers including Brazil, China and India. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said on May 14 that Washington had increased pressure on Vilnius to restore Belarusian potash transit but ruled out discussions while EU sanctions remain in place. The proposal is politically sensitive for Kyiv.

Belarus has allowed Russia to use its territory as a staging ground for attacks on Ukraine, and Ukrainian officials remain wary of any move that could provide new revenue to Minsk while it continues to support Moscow’s war effort. The US State Department and Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry have declined to comment publicly on the reported talks. For Kyiv, backing the proposal would mean balancing pressure from Washington against security concerns and the risk of appearing to reward a Russian ally.

Source: kyivpost.com