Lithuania to maintain current relations, sanctions with Belarus

Lithuania will maintain its current stance and sanctions against Belarus, with no immediate plans to revise bilateral relations, Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius announced. He emphasized that the government's approach aligns with the previous administration's policies and existing European Union sanctions, which are extended until February of the following year.

Sinkevičius commented on recent initiatives by strategic American partners regarding the release of political prisoners in Belarus, acknowledging them as positive steps. However, he indicated that significant policy shifts from the Lithuanian government in this context should not be expected soon.

The current government's program has drawn attention for its less confrontational tone towards the Belarusian regime compared to the previous cabinet, which had identified Minsk as a threat. The new program omits explicit mentions of Belarus as a threat and suggests strengthening international isolation only if Minsk continues to support Russia's aggression in Ukraine or engages in hybrid attacks against Ukraine or the EU.

Lithuanian opposition parties hope that the government's rhetorical shift does not pave the way for weakening sanctions when the EU considers their renewal next spring. This comes after the U.S. eased some sanctions on Belarusian potash exports last December, although discussions on broader sanctions continue. The EU imposed sanctions on Belarusian fertilizers in 2022, following Belarus's presidential elections and its support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Lithuania's state-owned railway company previously terminated its contract for fertilizer transit, citing national security concerns.