The United States is seeking Ukraine’s support in easing restrictions on imports of potash fertilisers from Belarus and has also asked Kyiv to persuade European countries to do the same, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Washington argued that lifting the restrictions could help create some distance between Belarus and Russia and improve relations with Minsk, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss closed-door talks.
The United States already lifted part of its own restrictions on fertilisers from Belarus earlier this year as part of a deal under which the regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka released hundreds of political prisoners.
However, without the removal of European sanctions, the effect remains limited because Belarus cannot use its traditional export routes through Baltic Sea terminals and would instead be forced to rely on Russian ports and railways. Countries such as Poland and Lithuania would be key for transit.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry and the US Department of State did not respond to Bloomberg’s request for comment.
Washington’s move to lift sanctions may do little to weaken this dependence if the EU does not remove its ban. EU restrictions prohibit the flow of Belarusian potash through Lithuania — once a key export hub for fertilisers — to the seaport of Klaipėda.
According to the sources, there are no indications that the EU is considering easing its restrictions on Belarus.
