US Unofficially Asked Three Countries to Lift Sanctions on Belarusian Potash

The single-page document states: "Now that the United States has lifted American sanctions on Belaruskali, American companies are interested in acquiring and transporting Belarusian potash. This will require transit through EU countries bordering Belarus or through Ukraine to avoid transportation through Russia."

The appeal also notes that "the United States is interested in exploring potential routes for the transit of Belarusian potash to alleviate the global deficit through Poland, Lithuania, or Ukraine and looks forward to future discussions on this topic with you."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine confirmed to Radio Svaboda that it had received this letter. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Poland and Lithuania have not yet responded to inquiries. However, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys recently acknowledged that Washington is pressuring the country to allow the transit of Belarusian products.

In addition to easing restrictive measures against the Belarusian potash giant Belaruskali in March, Washington also removed its marketing arm, Belarusian Potash Company, as well as the company Agrorazvitie, from the sanctions list after an agreement was reached on the release of 250 political prisoners in Belarus.

These sanctions had been in effect since 2021. At that time, Alexander Lukashenka's regime forced a Ryanair passenger plane, flying from Greece to Lithuania, to land in Minsk on May 23, 2021, to detain opposition blogger Raman Pratasevich and his partner Sofia Sapega.

The European Union, in turn, unanimously extended economic sanctions against Belarus for another year earlier this year. These measures include a ban on the import of Belarusian potash fertilizers and targeted sanctions against companies such as Belaruskali.

Although nitrogen-based fertilizers can technically still be imported into the EU, they are also being gradually phased out of the market. Last year, the European Union imposed additional duties of 40-45 euros per ton on top of the 6.5% tariff on such products from Belarus and Russia. These duties are set to increase to 60 euros per ton this summer and to 80 euros next year, reaching 350 euros per ton by 2028.

For several months, European officials, both publicly and in private conversations, denied that the US was pressuring Europe to ease sanctions against Belarus.

However, Koole's letter effectively promotes such an idea, noting: "Transit through EU countries will require either the lifting of EU sanctions on Belarusian potash or a waiver by transit countries through an appropriate legal mechanism. Any Western purchase of Belarusian potash could deprive Russia of the opportunity to sell its own potash and prevent it from benefiting from transit fees."

The document also mentions a possible compromise option: "Part or all of the transit fees received under this arrangement could be directed by the transit country to a special fund to support Ukraine's self-defense."

The latest request indicates both a warming of relations between the US and Belarus after Donald Trump's return to the White House last year, and a growing global need for fertilizers following restrictions on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz due to the broader conflict in the Middle East.

About a fifth of the world's energy resources usually pass through this waterway, but also up to 30 percent of global fertilizer exports, including about 20 percent of the world trade in liquefied natural gas, which is a key component in the production of nitrogen fertilizers.

Potash is critical for agricultural production. Along with nitrogen and phosphorus, it is used in fertilizers essential for the full growth cycle of important crops such as wheat, rice, and corn – products that provide more than 40 percent of the world's caloric intake.

According to estimates, Belarus provides about 15 percent of the world's fertilizer production, which brought the country more than $1 billion in 2024. Previously, Belarus exported potash through Baltic ports, primarily Klaipėda in Lithuania, but is now forced to transport products by Russian railway, mainly to St. Petersburg, which takes longer given the priority of Russian potash and costs more.

Background

On May 20, several foreign agencies reported that the US was pushing Ukraine to lift restrictions on the import of potash fertilizers from Belarus and urged that country to influence European allies to do the same.

Washington argued its request by stating that lifting sanctions on the import of a key soil nutrient could help Belarus distance itself from Russia and open the door to improving relations with Minsk.

The US and the European Union imposed large-scale sanctions against Belarus after Minsk began a harsh crackdown on protesters following the presidential elections in 2020.

Restrictions were intensified after the Belarusian authorities supported Russia's aggression on February 24, 2022, by allowing the use of Belarusian military infrastructure and airspace for the invasion by the Russian army and shelling of peaceful cities in Ukraine.

In December 2025, the US eased sanctions against three Belarusian potash companies after Minsk released 250 political prisoners as part of agreements with the US. European sanctions are in effect until February 2027 and may be extended.

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