“Washington has argued that dropping restrictions could help put some distance between Belarus and Russia and improve relations with Minsk, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private discussions,” the article reads.
Bloomberg reported that earlier this year the United States removed some curbs on Belarusian potash shipments as part of an agreement that led to the release of hundreds of political prisoners by the Minsk government. The move, however, has limited effect without similar changes by European countries because Belarus cannot use its traditional Baltic shipping routes and is forced to rely on Russian ports and railways, the report said. Poland and Lithuania are expected to play key roles in transit.
The EU currently bars deliveries of Belarusian potash through Lithuania and the port of Klaipeda, Bloomberg said, and sources told the agency there are no signs the EU plans to relax its sanctions.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry did not respond to Bloomberg's request for comment. A U.S. State Department spokesman told Bloomberg that Washington is prepared for further engagement with Belarus to advance U.S. interests and will continue diplomatic efforts to secure the release of political prisoners.
Bloomberg also reported that Lithuania's foreign minister,
Kestutis Budrys, told a closed coalition meeting last week that Baltic states
are beginning to feel pressure from the United States over transit of
Belarusian potash.