U.S. Lifts Sanctions on Belarusian Potash Amid Diplomatic Talks

The United States is set to lift sanctions on Belarusian potash after discussions between U.S. envoy John Coale and Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk. The talks also addressed political prisoners and Belarus' relationship with Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The United States is poised to lift sanctions on Belarusian potash, following two days of discussions between U.S. special envoy John Coale and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk. This development was reported by Belarusian state media.

While the exact concessions Belarus may offer in return remain unspecified, it is significant given Belarus' role as a major potash producer—a critical component in fertilizer. The envoy, appointed by President Donald Trump, aims to negotiate the release of over 1,000 political prisoners in Belarus, a nation closely linked with Russia.

Coale detailed a broad range of discussions with Lukashenko, including the Russia-Ukraine war and Venezuela, emphasizing the goal of repairing U.S.-Belarus relations. Coale highlighted Lukashenko's longstanding connection with Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting it could play a crucial role in facilitating geopolitical dialogues.

(With inputs from agencies.)