Politico: Washington Pressures Lithuania to Open Klaipeda Port for Belarusian Potash

According to the publication, US Special Envoy for Belarus, John Cole, in recent weeks, through diplomatic channels, tried to ascertain whether Lithuania is ready to ease restrictions on the transit of Belarusian goods. These sanctions prohibit the export of Belarusian products through EU ports. Next February, EU countries will have to decide on their extension, and unanimous consent will be required.

Theoretically, Lithuania, which will preside over the Council of the European Union from the beginning of next year, could block the extension of sanctions, which would lead to their termination. However, Vilnius remains one of Ukraine's most consistent European partners.

In September, Trump stated that he was working on a "big deal" with Minsk, which would allow the US to purchase Belarusian potash at a price significantly lower than what American farmers currently pay Canadian suppliers. But for this, it is necessary to restore the possibility of transporting fertilizers through Klaipeda or other Baltic ports.

According to one of Politico's interlocutors, in recent weeks, Trump's team has noticeably intensified contacts with Lithuania. Two officials from Eastern Europe claim that John Cole has been pressuring Lithuanian authorities at various levels for over a year – since his first visit to Minsk. Americans also discussed the possibility of supplying Belarusian potash through Latvia's Riga, which would also be a more convenient route than transportation through Russia. According to a European official, Cole also approached the Latvian side with this proposal.

The US State Department declined to comment on specific commercial deals, but stated that Washington regularly discusses opportunities with allies and partners that align with American economic interests. They also noted that the sale of Belarusian potash to the US would help reduce costs for American farmers and livestock breeders.

Countries in Eastern Europe fear that easing sanctions against Lukashenka would give him greater international legitimacy and allow him to continue holding political opponents behind bars. One European official also questioned whether there would be a sufficiently large global market for Belarusian potash, given Canada's dominance in this field. According to him, this issue remains complex for Lithuania itself.

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