Lithuania Stands Firm Against Easing Belarus Sanctions Amid US Fertilizer Deal

Lithuania's top officials have reiterated their stance against easing sanctions on Belarus despite a potential US deal to purchase Belarusian potash fertilizers. Both the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, and the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Remigijus Motuzas, have stated that there are no grounds for lifting sanctions against Belarus. They emphasized that the EU sanctions remain in effect until the end of February and that the US deal is a bilateral matter between Washington and Minsk. Lithuania has not been informed or consulted about the agreement and sees no direct impact on itself. The US has not exerted any pressure on Lithuania regarding the issue.