Belarus sanctions remain in place for Lithuania's foreign ministry.
In a recent development, Birių Krovinių Terminalas (BKT), a Klaipėda-based bulk cargo terminal, has proposed a settlement with the Lithuanian government. The proposal, which is conditional on the government allowing Belarusian fertilizer shipments via Lithuania to resume, has been met with resolute rejection by the Lithuanian authorities.
Despite this proposal, Lithuania is not considering easing sanctions against Belarus. Instead, the government is exploring options to further extend and expand sanctions on Belarus, as Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has explicitly stated.
The rejection of the proposal comes in light of ongoing arbitration proceedings between Belaruskali and Lithuania, initiated by the Belarusian state-owned fertiliser company. Igor Udovickij, the owner of BKT, had offered to withdraw the company's lawsuit in exchange for permission to resume Belaruskali fertilizer transit.
The foreign minister, Budrys, has urged against misinformation suggesting otherwise and reassured members of the Seimas that there are no ongoing political processes related to reviewing the sanction policy towards Belarus. He did not mention any specific parties involved in the correspondence about Belarusian fertilizer transit.
It is important to note that this stance is consistent with Lithuania's broader foreign policy stance, which includes supporting sanctions on Russia and Belarus related to the Ukraine conflict. Lithuanian officials have advocated for strong punitive measures rather than relaxation.
Recent reports suggest that American diplomats have asked Lithuania if it would be willing to ease its sanctions on Belarus, including on fertilizer trade, after Belarus released several political prisoners. However, these reports do not seem to have influenced Lithuania's decision to maintain and strengthen its sanctions against Belarus.
On Wednesday, Minister Budrys neither confirmed nor denied information about conversations regarding easing sanctions on Belarus. He emphasised the legal handling of the matter regarding Belarusian fertilizer shipments.
[1] Lithuanian Foreign Minister: No Ongoing Processes to Review or Ease Sanctions on Belarus. (2022). BNS. Retrieved from https://www.bns.lt/en/news/lithuania-foreign-minister-no-ongoing-processes-to-review-or-ease-sanctions-on-belarus
[2] Lithuania Rejects Proposal to Ease Sanctions on Belarus in Exchange for Resumption of Fertiliser Shipments. (2022). Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuania-rejects-proposal-ease-sanctions-belarus-exchange-resumption-fertiliser-shipments-2022-06-09/
[3] Lithuanian Foreign Minister: No Ongoing Processes to Review or Ease Sanctions on Belarus. (2022). BNS. Retrieved from https://www.bns.lt/en/news/lithuania-foreign-minister-no-ongoing-processes-to-review-or-ease-sanctions-on-belarus
- Regarding the proposed settlement by Birių Krovinių Terminalas (BKT) to resume Belarusian fertilizer shipments, the Lithuanian government has maintained a firm stance in rejecting any policies or legislation that could lead to the easing of sanctions against Belarus.
- Despite reports suggesting American diplomats had asked Lithuania to ease its sanctions on Belarus, especially in relation to fertilizer trade, the Lithuanian foreign policy continues to focus on expanding and extending sanctions on Belarus, as per the general news and politics.
