The Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that the US takes a more lenient approach to sanctions on Belarus than Lithuania.
“We talked about the security situation in the region, the threats posed, various incidents, as well as what Belarus is doing at our border, what risks are associated with it. After all, this is NATO’s border,” K. Budrys, visiting Washington, told BNS on Thursday.
“However, I discussed issues related to Belarus in detail a few days ago with John Coale, the US Special Envoy for Belarus, who was visiting Lithuania, but not during this meeting (with M. Rubio – BNS). There we already talked in detail about what Belarus has done to its neighbors over these years, how much damage it has caused, how much it has broken, and so on,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He confirmed that he spoke with J. Coale about the sanctions imposed on the Minsk regime by Lithuania and the European Union (EU).
“My question was about the US intentions to make some reliefs in the sanctions area. We coordinate with the United States on sanctions on various issues, from fighting Russia’s shadow fleet to Iran. Naturally, we have also talked about sanctions imposed on Belarus. And this time we talked about it, yes,” K. Budrys said.
According to him, the positions, expectations, and EU actions of both countries were discussed with the US President’s Special Envoy on sanctions.
“Lithuania has not applied them (sanctions – BNS), but we established the legal grounds for the regime last year. The United States takes a different approach to the application of sanctions, specifically regarding Belarus, easing sanctions in exchange for released prisoners. Our position differs in this regard, but of course, we talk and consult, that is what allies are for,” the minister emphasized.
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BNS wrote that Lithuania has suspended the transit of Belarusian potash fertilizers since February 1, 2022, after the US imposed sanctions in 2021 on Belarus’s largest potash fertilizer producer, Belaruskalij, in response to human rights violations in Belarus.
This year, the US lifted these sanctions when the Alexander Lukashenko regime released some political prisoners. Despite this, Lithuania continues to restrict fertilizer transit because the EU later introduced restrictions following the US decision.
During J. Coale’s visit to Belarus this week, an agreement was reached on the release of another 25 prisoners who arrived in Lithuania on Wednesday. In turn, Washington will lift sanctions on Belarusian paint manufacturer Lakokraska and forestry concern Bellesbumprom.
Before going to Belarus, the US President’s Special Envoy met with K. Budrys in Lithuania.
J. Coale last visited Minsk in March, when Belarus released 250 political prisoners. After this visit, the special envoy urged Lithuania to restore the transit of Belarusian fertilizers and to hold a deputy minister-level meeting with Minsk.
Human rights defenders and activists warn that although the regime in Belarus releases some individuals, others are still arrested and imprisoned.
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