U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Belarus John Cole has repeatedly met with Aliaksandr Lukashenka. Lukashenka agreed with Cole on the release of political prisoners in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Restrictions have already been lifted from the airline Belavia. But the fertilizer issue remains the most important.
The war in Ukraine has stopped most of the cargo flows from Belarus. Potash producers are still subject to European sanctions.
The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture notes that it would be profitable for Americans to receive fertilizers from Minsk. Especially now, when fuel prices and other costs for farmers have risen sharply.
While in Lithuania, Trump’s envoy suggested that Vilnius start negotiations with Belarus and restore the transit of fertilizers, which has historically been carried out through the port of Klaipeda, making it clear that the American side is interested in this.
Latvia is alsolikely to receiveadvice to cooperate with the Belarusians
It’s probably only a matter of time before Latvia will receive a recommendation to cooperate with the Belarusians from the Trump administration, notes the portal bb.lv. At one time, Belarusians also transported these cargoes through the Ventspils company “Kālija Parks.
Theoretically, it could also be done through the port of Riga at the terminal, which belonged to the sanctioned Russian fertilizer producer Uralchem Dmitri Mazepin.
The Latvian Minister of Economy indirectly confirms that there are companies that are waiting for a signal to resume the transit of Belarusian cargoes. Although port managers diplomatically evade answers.
Director of the Institute of International Relations and Political Sciences of Vilnius University Margarita Šešelgītī notes that politicians will have to make difficult decisions.
“If the US pressures Lithuania to start negotiations with Belarus, they have the means to do so. They have the military in Lithuania and we appreciate them very much,” she explained.
Several businessmen in Latvia confirm in informal conversations that talks about a possible easing of sanctions against Belarus and potash cargoes have been going on for about a year.
