Source: Ukragroconsult (Ukraine)
US Belarus potash sanctions removal marks a significant policy shift. Specifically, the United States and Belarus have reached a new agreement. Furthermore, this eases sanctions against Belarusian fertilizers, the country’s key export product. In exchange, Minsk released a number of political prisoners. Additionally, US Special Envoy John Cole announced this following talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk.
According to Cole, Washington is lifting sanctions against Belinvestbank. Moreover, the Development Bank of Belarus and the Ministry of Finance are also affected. In addition, two key companies in the industry – the Belarusian Potash Company and the Belarusian Potash Company – are being removed from the sanctions list.
US Belarus Potash Sanctions Removal: Implementation Timeline
Reporters inquired about how long it would take to formalize these decisions. Furthermore, Cole assured that the process would be much faster this time.
“I assure you that this time it will all be much faster. We have learned to do it faster. Before visiting Minsk, we held extensive talks with the Treasury Department and other US agencies involved in enforcing sanctions,” he emphasized.
Prisoner Release and Diplomatic Developments
Minsk, in turn, released 235 prisoners. Moreover, the US Embassy in Lithuania reported this. Additionally, fifteen of them have already been sent to Lithuania.
Cole also reported that preparations are underway for Alexander Lukashenko’s visit to the US. Furthermore, he said such a trip by the Belarusian president is possible.