The European Union is not considering easing sanctions against Belarus

With the United States of America (USA) lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash fertilisers, according to the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), there is no discussion in the European Union (EU) about this.

„The US takes independent decisions on sanctions against the Belarusian regime, which are not linked to EU sanctions. There is no EU consideration of easing sanctions on the Belarusian regime," the MFA said.

The ministry also notes that none of the reasons for the EU to impose sanctions on Belarus have disappeared.

„Internal repression, undermining democracy, instrumentalisation of migration, assisting Russia in its aggression against Ukraine, and now – a combined hybrid attack. The release of political prisoners is an important diplomatic achievement, but Lithuania's position remains unchanged: Belarus' actions are seriously damaging to the security of Lithuania, the EU and NATO," the MFA stresses.

As previously announced, the US has lifted sanctions on Belarusian potash exports. On Saturday, a correspondent of the BELTA news agency reported that the announcement was made by the US special envoy to Belarus, John Coale, in a conversation with journalists.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned citizens of 123 different countries on the basis of agreements with US President Donald Trump and at the latter's request.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that among those released from Belarusian prisons on Saturday were two Lithuanian citizens who had been illegally detained in Belarus since last year.