Фото: прес-служба Лукашенко
Russian businessman of Belarusian origin Dmitry Mazepin discussed cooperation in the potash sector during his meeting with Aliaksandr Lukashenka today.
Mazepin previously headed Uralchem, Russia’s largest fertiliser producer, which includes Uralkali. After sanctions were imposed on him, he reduced his stake in the company and stepped back from its day-to-day management.
“I remain a shareholder in Uralkali. I do not manage the company, but the interests of Uralkali and Belaruskali, as well as developments in the market, remain important issues. Questions of international cooperation were, of course, on the president’s agenda.
A positive assessment was given of how we have been working over recent years. Therefore, I am pleased that we can discuss not only sporting matters but also business issues,” he said, as reported by BelTA.
In the early 2010s, Belaruskali and Uralkali operated within an alliance through a joint trader, the Belarusian Potash Company. The partnership eventually collapsed. The conflict reached its peak when Vladislav Baumgertner, then chief executive of Uralkali, was detained during a visit to Minsk.
After Mazepin gained control of Uralchem, which includes Uralkali, he met Lukashenka in 2014 to discuss how the companies would operate in the market.
In 2021, Aliaksandr Lukashenka spoke about unnamed oligarchs from Russia with Belarusian roots who were allegedly prepared to pay for his assassination. Later, Raman Pratasevich hinted at a “competitor of Gutseriev” who had allegedly financed Telegram channels, including Nexta, in 2020. Although Mazepin was never named directly, he later responded to the allegations, saying such support would be contrary to his views.
Mazepin attended today’s meeting with Lukashenka in his capacity as chairman of the Russian Federation of Water Sports. It should be noted that he had already visited Minsk last year as a sports official, when he met with Viktor Lukashenka.
“I am here as head of the Russian Federation of Water Sports and as vice-president of the Russian Olympic Committee. We are carrying out extensive joint work to ensure that all our athletes return to international competition under their flag and anthem. As far as water sports are concerned, both Russia and Belarus succeeded in convincing the international federation to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete. I was pleased to report to Aliaksandr Hryhoravich that we are moving together towards competing internationally without any restrictions,” he said.
At the same time, he expressed doubts that athletes would be able to participate without difficulties at the European Championships in Paris this summer.
“The situation remains complicated. Sport is open, and the international federation has fully restored our rights. But whether the French authorities and political leadership will grant us visas and welcome us remains a question worth considering,” he said.
Mazepin said he hopes that all outstanding issues will be resolved by the summer of 2027, in time for the next championships in Budapest.