Lithuanian parliament speaker says he feels no US pressure over Belarusian fertiliser transit

The speaker of Lithuania’s parliament, Juozas Olekas, has denied feeling any pressure from the US regarding the transit of Belarusian fertilisers, despite claims by the foreign minister that such discussions are ongoing, LRT reports.

Olekas stated he has received “no indications about fertilisers” and has had no contacts suggesting the issue needs resolution. His comments follow reports that Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys had mentioned US pressure during a closed meeting of the Social Democratic Party faction last week, according to multiple anonymous sources.

The speaker acknowledged that discussions on the topic recur due to the importance of fertiliser transit to Belarus and increasing contacts between Washington and Minsk. “We must maintain our position and continue,” he said, noting that EU sanctions—currently in place until February next year—clearly define restrictions on the matter.

President Gitanas Nausėda also denied any US pressure on the issue last week. Lithuania suspended transit of Belarusian potash fertilisers in February 2022 after the US imposed sanctions on Belarus’s largest producer, Belaruskali, in 2021 over human rights violations. Though the US later lifted those sanctions following the release of some political prisoners, Lithuania has continued restrictions in line with subsequent EU measures.