Lithuania Urges EU to Maintain Sanctions on Belarus

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys stated on September 21 that the European Union has no reason to soften its sanctions against Belarus. Speaking from New York, Budrys cited the Belarusian government's continued human rights violations, repression of political opponents, and ongoing support for Russia's war in Ukraine as justifications for maintaining the current pressure.

These comments follow an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump that Washington is working on a deal to purchase potash from Belarus, a sector currently under EU sanctions. The U.S. recently negotiated the release of political prisoners in exchange for partial sanctions relief. While Budrys welcomed the release of these prisoners, he argued that the Belarusian regime remains a security threat to the EU.

Budrys specifically accused the government of Alexander Lukashenko of orchestrating hybrid attacks, including the weaponization of migration flows targeting Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia. He maintained that the EU must adhere to its existing sanctions framework, which remains in force until February 2027, to counter these activities.