Lithuanian Defense Minister: Money from transit of Belarusian potash through Lithuania can be transferred to Ukraine
Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas believes that in the event of pressure on Lithuania to resume the transit of Belarusian fertilizers through Klaipėda port, discussing the allocation of the received funds to support Ukraine could be an option, writes LRT.
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According to the Lithuanian minister, if the country were to face such a choice, it would need to have various options. Kaunas noted that Klaipėda port is the most profitable route for export and reminded of the approximately 300 million euros in revenue. In his opinion, these funds could be transferred to Ukraine, which would simultaneously solve several problems. However, he emphasized that for now, these are only reflections.
The transit of potash fertilizers from "Belaruskali" company through Lithuania was halted on February 1, 2022, after the US imposed sanctions against this Belarusian enterprise in 2021. Later, the European Union also introduced restrictions. Prior to this, Belaruskali's products had been transported from the Belarusian border to Klaipėda port for over ten years.
Last week, the US lifted its sanctions in exchange for the release of more than a hundred prisoners in Belarus. After this, Lithuanian President's national security advisor Deividas Matulionis stated that in the future, the EU and Lithuania might have to reconsider their sanctions policy regarding Belarusian fertilizers. However, the country's leadership assures that no easing of restrictions is planned for now.
The EU imposed sanctions against "Belaruskali" on March 2, 2022, prohibiting the transport of potash fertilizers from Belarus. These measures are regularly extended, and a new decision is expected early next year.
Matulionis also reported that the American side has not yet discussed with Lithuanian authorities the possibility of resuming transit through Klaipėda. He added that, in theory, such a decision could be linked to the deployment of additional US military forces in Lithuania, but later clarified that this was his personal, uncoordinated position.
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Жаба. Бо, усе ж 300 мільёнаў еўра даходаў.