US officials have proposed that Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine lift sanctions on Belarusian potash to allow transit through their territories. The proposal links to a March decision by the Trump administration to lift financial restrictions on Belaruskali, a state-run fertilizer company. The document states that US firms are interested in acquiring and transporting Belarusian potash and that transit would require routes through EU countries bordering Belarus or through Ukraine to avoid transport through Russia. Belaruskali is described as a major global potash producer and the largest single revenue source for Belarus’s government. The proposal was sent by the US State Department and received by Ukraine, while Poland and Lithuania did not comment publicly.
"Now that the United States has lifted US sanctions on Belaruskali, US firms are interested in acquiring and transporting Belarusian potash. Doing so would require transit through EU countries bordering Belarus or through Ukraine to avoid transport through Russia."
"The United States is interested in exploring potential routes for the transit of Belarusian potash to alleviate global shortages via Poland, Lithuania, or Ukraine and looks forward to future discussions with you on this topic."
"Belaruskali is one of the largest potash fertilizer companies in the world, and is the largest single source of revenue for the government of strongman leader Aleksandr Lukashenko."
"A high-ranking European Union official said the proposal -- known as a "nonpaper" or discussion document in diplomatic parlance -- was sent by the US State Department to the three countries. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in order to disclose private discussions."
Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
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