US lifts sanctions on Belarusian potash, as Minsk releases over 100 political prisoners

The U.S. is lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash, U.S. presidential envoy to Minsk John Cole said on Dec. 13 following a meeting with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, in exchange for the release of political prisoners in Belarus.

The move comes amid a warming of relations between Washington and Minsk and follows the lifting of sanctions on Belarus's flag carrier, Belavia, in November.

Potash is one of Belarus's key exports and its most significant mineral resource, with the state-owned producer Belaruskali ranking among the world's largest suppliers.

"This is a very good step by the U.S. for Belarus," Cole said following two days of talks in Minsk.

"Per the instructions of President Trump, we, the United States, will be lifting sanctions on potash," he said.

Cole said Washington and Minsk would continue talks on sanctions and expressed hope that other measures could eventually be lifted altogether.

The lifting of sanctions was in exchange for the release of 123 political prisoners in Belarus, which Lukashenko freed on Dec. 13, including Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kalesnikova and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said five Ukrainians were among those freed, without providing further details.

Belarus is under sanctions from a number of Western countries, including the U.S., over political repression under Lukashenko's regime. The restrictions were expanded after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as Minsk is a close ally of the Kremlin.

U.S. sanctions imposed on Belaruskali in 2021 forced Belarus to redirect its potash shipments via Russia, tying Minsk more closely to the Kremlin economically.

Washington previously lifted sanctions imposed in 2021 on Belarusian airline Belavia after Lukashenko released 52 political prisoners in September.

The U.S. also removed the private jet used by Lukashenko's family from its sanctions list and authorized three additional aircraft linked to Lukashenko to operate.