Lithuania vows to maintain sanctions on Belarus despite US pressure

Lithuania will maintain its firm stance on sanctions against Belarus, including the ongoing ban on the transit of Belarusian potash fertilizers, even amid potential pressure from international partners, Prime Minister-designate Inga Ruginienė has stated.

“If we do not continue to push for sanctions and a tough stance on the aggressor, it will be bad. The United States may apply pressure, but I think we are unyielding here,” Ruginienė told BNS on September 12, Caliber.Az reports

Her comments follow the release of 52 political prisoners by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on September 11, including six Lithuanian citizens. Shortly afterward, US envoy John Coale announced the lifting of sanctions on Belarusian state airline Belavia, a decision authorised by President Donald Trump, sparking speculation that Washington may push Lithuania to resume fertilizer exports through the port of Klaipėda.

For over a decade, Belarusian potash from Belaruskali had been exported via Klaipėda, but Lithuania ended the transit in February 2022 following US sanctions, a national security assessment, and the termination of a contract by the state-owned railway company. The European Union imposed its own sanctions on the company a month later.

Ruginienė made clear she opposes any easing of restrictions.

"On the contrary, I believe the sanctions package should only be tightened and that we need to do even more,” she said, adding that Lithuanian diplomats would work to convince international partners to maintain and expand the measures.

When asked whether the issue of sanctions might come up during discussions related to the continued presence of US troops in Lithuania, she acknowledged, “It would certainly be possible to talk about it.”

Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys echoed the same position on September 12, stressing that Lithuania has no plans to alter its policy and that both EU and national sanctions against Minsk remain in force despite recent prisoner releases.

By Sabina Mammadli