Trump Pushes Lithuania to Lift Belarus Fertilizer Sanctions

US President Donald Trump is pressuring Lithuania to lift sanctions against Belarusian fertilizer. Politico writes this, citing sources.

According to the publication, the US is seeking to reduce its dependence on Canada for potash, a critically important fertilizer component, and save costs for American farmers.

According to four European officials, John Coale, the US special envoy for Belarus, has been "testing the waters" with Lithuanian diplomats in recent weeks on easing the blockade of Belarusian goods. This blockade is part of EU sanctions against the regime of Alexander Lukashenko. The sanctions bar EU ports from handling Belarusian goods, although these measures must be extended every 12 months.

Starting in early 2027, Lithuania will take over the presidency of the EU Council. In theory, it could veto the next extension of the sanctions, planned for February, and thereby let the sanctions expire. However, Lithuania is one of Ukraine's firmest allies in the EU.

"Over the past few weeks, Donald Trump's team has stepped up contacts with the Lithuanians," one of the sources said.

According to two officials, Coale has been pressuring the Lithuanian government at all levels for more than a year, since he first visited Minsk.

"They are applying pressure politely, but we are clearly telling them: 'No, damn it.' If Americans cannot draw lessons from history, then we must stand firm," said an official from an Eastern European country.