Lithuanian Prime Minister confirms no plans for resuming transit of Belaruskali fertilizers.
In early 2021, before the transit ban and sanctions, the Biriu Kroviniu Terminalas (BKT), a Klaipeda bulk cargo terminal controlled by Igor Udovickij, reported a profit of 16.1 million euros and revenue of 96.1 million euros [1]. The terminal, which has a full annual capacity of 16 million tons, had been handling around 11 million tons of Belaruskali fertilizer annually.
However, the long-standing transport of Belarusian potash through Lithuania was halted on February 1, 2022, as a result of the freight contract invalidation. This decision was made following a regulation by the EU Council that led Lithuania to end Belaruskali's transit through the seaport of Klaipeda.
The lawsuit stemming from this action is currently being heard by the European Union's General Court. BKT, which directly and indirectly owns 70 percent, while Belaruskali holds the remaining 30 percent, has filed a lawsuit challenging the European Commission's restrictive measures. Part of this lawsuit was dismissed by the General Court, leading to the Lithuanian government's decision to terminate Belaruskali's transit through Klaipeda in February 2022.
In June, the CEO of BKT, Ruslan Malinin, wrote to Prime Minister Paluckas and the government, offering to withdraw the company's lawsuit in exchange for permission to resume Belaruskali fertilizer transit via Lithuania and BKT's terminal. However, Prime Minister Paluckas has stated that Lithuania is not currently holding discussions on resuming the transit of fertilizers produced by Belarus' potash giant Belaruskali [2].
Paluckas also mentioned that a letter has been submitted to the government's office regarding the resumption of Belaruskali fertilizer transit, but he stated that there are no serious or detailed discussions taking place regarding this matter [2]. The government is gathering information and coordinating with the Foreign Ministry, which is responsible for enforcing and overseeing sanctions, and the Transport Ministry.
Meanwhile, Belaruskali has filed a separate claim with an arbitration tribunal seeking 12.09 billion US dollars in damages from Lithuania, stemming from the government's decision to invalidate the freight contract between Belaruskali and LTG in January 2022. The court is still reviewing the part of the lawsuit contesting the EU Council's regulations and its inaction.
Lithuania is maintaining a hardline stance, emphasizing that public discussion of the case could weaken their legal position, and is preparing additional national sanctions if the EU does not extend its bloc-wide measures. Lithuania also seeks to prevent Belarus from regaining economic leverage through circumvention schemes.
As of early August 2025, there are rumors of a possible settlement, but no official resolution has been announced. The dispute between Lithuania and Belaruskali over the transit of fertilizers remains unresolved, with both parties holding firm to their positions.
[1] Source: News Article 1
[2] Source: News Article 2
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
