A member of the Lithuanian government found grounds for the transit of Belarusian potash 0 8

If Lithuania faces pressure to resume the transit of Belarusian fertilizers through the Port of Klaipeda, it would be possible to discuss, in particular, the use of the proceeds from it to support Ukraine, believes Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas.

"If we were, so to speak, 'forced' to choose, then it would be necessary to discuss. And if we are to discuss, we need to have options," the minister said to the BNS agency last week.

"The Port of Klaipeda is the most favorable for exports, and here we return to the question of 300 million. Why not direct these 300 million to Ukraine as additional funds? In this way, we would be killing two birds with one stone. But for now, this is just an interpretation," he said.

Lithuania suspended the transit of Belarusian potash fertilizers on February 1, 2022, after the United States imposed sanctions in 2021 against the largest producer of potash fertilizers in Belarus, Belaruskali. These sanctions came into effect on December 8, 2021.

Later, the European Union (EU) also imposed sanctions on Belarusian fertilizers.

The transit of Belaruskali products from the border with Belarus to the Port of Klaipeda had been carried out for more than ten years.

Last week, in exchange for the release of more than 100 prisoners from Belarus, the United States promised to lift sanctions.

After this step, the President's chief advisor on national security, Deividas Matulionis, mentioned that in the future, the EU and Lithuania would have to reassess the sanctions on Belarusian fertilizers.

However, senior officials in the country assert that the restrictions on the transit of fertilizers will not be eased for now.

The EU imposed sanctions against Belaruskali on March 2, 2022 — at that time, a regulation was adopted prohibiting the transportation of potash fertilizers from Belarus. The community continuously extends these sanctions, and a decision on further actions is expected to be made at the beginning of next year.

This week, Matulionis stated that U.S. representatives have not yet discussed with Lithuanian officials the possible resumption of transit through the Port of Klaipeda, and if this is done over time, such a decision could be linked to the deployment of additional U.S. military forces in the country. However, the next day he backtracked on this position, stating that this was an uncoordinated viewpoint of the presidential office, and a personal, spontaneously expressed opinion.