U.S. to Lift Sanctions on Belarus Potash in Diplomatic Shift

The United States plans to lift sanctions on Belarusian potash, indicating a possible diplomatic thaw. U.S. envoy John Coale held productive talks in Minsk with President Lukashenko, focusing on sanction relief and political prisoner releases. Discussions also covered Russia's Ukraine invasion and Venezuela, with Lukashenko offering advice on conflict resolution.

The United States is set to lift sanctions on Belarusian potash as a significant sign of improving diplomatic relations with the isolated Eastern European nation.

John Coale, the U.S. special envoy for Belarus, engaged in discussions with the authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, at the weekend. The talks were described as 'very productive' by Coale, according to Belarus' state news agency, Belta.

During the meetings, the focus was on normalizing the ties between Washington and Minsk, including dropping sanctions and the release of political prisoners in Belarus. The agenda also included discussions on Venezuela and Russia's ongoing military actions in Ukraine, with Lukashenko providing insights due to his close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

(With inputs from agencies.)