Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has denied that the United States is pressuring Vilnius over the transit of Belarusian potash fertilizers.
“There is no pressure,” BNS quoted the president as saying in response to a related question.
“Yes, from time to time we exchange information and tell our American friends certain things, and they also express their views on Belarus. Yes, negotiations are taking place, but there is a completely clear answer: for the next — well, now not 12 months but nine months — European sanctions will effectively remain in force and be extended.
Since these are European sanctions rather than national ones, we will not be able to change anything here even if we wanted to. Do we want to change anything? Well, I think we have enough signs that the Belarusian regime is not changing its nature, that it continues to actively assist Russia. Therefore, in all discussions, if such issues arise after these nine months in Europe and if the situation has not changed, I would support extending these sanctions,” he added.
At the same time, Nausėda believes Minsk could demonstrate a willingness to normalize relations and distance itself from Moscow.
“Although such a possibility is very small, I would by no means rule it out, and we are always ready to work closely with our American partners in resolving these issues,” he said.
Earlier, Lithuanian media reported that Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, during a closed meeting with members of the Social Democratic faction in the Seimas, acknowledged the existence of such pressure. According to Budrys, pressure is also being exerted on other countries in the region.
The minister later declined to confirm the remarks made during the meeting but told journalists that there had been “additional activity” from the American side regarding fertilizer transit.
