Ukraine firmly opposes any initiatives aimed at easing the sanctions pressure on Belarus, particularly regarding the lifting of restrictions on the leading potash company ‘Belaruskali’. This was stated by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga during a joint press conference with Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Kyiv.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Ukraine calls for strengthening sanctions
The Foreign Minister emphasized that attempts to reduce pressure on the Belarusian regime will not lead to its exit from the influence of the Russian Federation. According to Andriy Sybiga, Lukashenko’s regime is too deeply integrated into cooperation with the Russian Federation, and any concessions will only increase the risks of Belarus being drawn into a foreign war.
“One should not have the illusion that someone with some easing will be able to pull Belarus out of some sphere of Russian influence. It won’t work. This Lukashenko regime is too incorporated, integrated into this criminal combination with the Russians. Therefore, we must act decisively. And I repeat, our goal is to prevent the creation of threats of involving the Belarusian people, Belarus in a foreign war.”
In response to journalists’ questions about whether there is pressure from partners regarding the easing of sanctions, the minister emphasized that Kyiv rejects any such approaches and, on the contrary, calls for strengthening the sanctions regime. Andriy Sybiga also reported that Ukraine received additional proposals from the Belarusian opposition regarding the areas that should be covered by sanctions from both Ukraine and European countries.
International appeals regarding the transit of Belarusian potash
It is known that recently the United States officially appealed to Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine with a request to lift sanctions on the import of Belarusian potash. This would allow American companies to purchase and transport fertilizers through the territories of these countries, avoiding routes through Russia. Such an initiative was outlined in a letter from the U.S. Special Representative to Belarus John Cole, directed to the governments of the three states.
The document emphasizes that after Washington lifted sanctions against ‘Belaruskali’, American businesses are interested in resuming purchases and logistics of Belarusian potash through EU countries or Ukraine.
It is worth noting that Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was on an official visit to Kyiv on May 25, where issues of strengthening sanctions pressure on the Belarusian regime and coordinating actions with the Ukrainian side were discussed.