US presidential envoy John Coale, in an interview with LRT, said he hopes for the start of dialogue between Vilnius and Minsk at the level of deputy foreign ministers. He also stated that Belarusian potash fertilizers should transit through Lithuania.
“Yes, I think that’s how it should be. President Trump and I do not believe in preconditions. What we believe is that you need to sit down and talk. If that doesn’t work, then you stand up and walk away. But I think — I hope — that Lithuania will agree to bilateral dialogue at the level of deputy foreign ministers. We need to stop what is disrupting life on both sides,” Coale said.
Asked whether the dialogue should indeed take place at the deputy minister level — a format previously advocated by Minsk — he confirmed:
“Yes, I would like that. I would like them to start resolving issues between themselves so that we can restore trade between the two countries, trade with Europe, and with the United States. For example, Belarusian potash fertilizers should go through Lithuania, and that would open access for them to Europe — all the way to the United States,” he said.
Earlier, Alyaksandr Lukashenka repeatedly stated that he had discussed with the US side, among other things, the potential sale of the Nezhinsky mining and processing plant, which produces potash fertilizers. Coale was asked whether the United States has an economic interest in Belarusian potash.
“Yes. I spoke with Brooke Rollins, she is the US Secretary of Agriculture, and we discussed this. She said it would be very beneficial for the United States if we also received fertilizers,” he said.
According to Coale, Lithuania should not impose additional conditions on Belarus.
“Well, I have been negotiating with him for a year without preconditions, and successfully. Look, there are many good and bad people in the world. But the more they talk, the better. President Trump went to North Korea. He even spoke twice with the mayor of New York, who is the complete opposite of Trump. But they met. And that’s how things get done — through communication. You won’t achieve anything by setting preconditions that must be met,” he said.
Responding to a question about a possible visit by Lukashenka to the United States, Coale said the issue is still under discussion.
The envoy also noted that the United States would like to see the President of Lithuania visit and take part in a proposed Peace Council.