All articles tagged with #us belarus relations
President Donald Trump announced a 'massive' deal to buy potash from Belarus to undercut Canadian prices, but President Alexander Lukashenko stated Minsk has no spare volume as all exports are already contracted. Critics highlight the hypocrisy of trading with a Russian ally while pressuring India over Russian energy, while human rights groups warn that revenue funds repression.
US President Donald Trump announced a 'massive' deal to import potash from Belarus, claiming it will undercut Canadian prices amid an ongoing trade dispute. However, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that all 2026 fertilizer volumes are already contracted, and EU transit restrictions remain a significant logistical barrier. The move follows recent prisoner releases and sanctions relief in Washington-Minsk talks.
Belarus released 123 prisoners, including Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski and opposition leaders, as part of a deal with the US involving sanctions relief and improved diplomatic relations.
Belarus is attempting to reduce its political isolation by engaging in diplomatic talks with European countries, following a recent thaw in relations with the US under Trump, amidst ongoing tensions and sanctions due to its actions in Ukraine and domestic crackdowns.
Belarus released 52 political prisoners, including foreigners, in a deal brokered by the US, which also plans to lift sanctions on Belarus's airline and reopen its embassy, as part of efforts to normalize relations and potentially negotiate a larger prisoner release deal.