The United States lifts sanctions on Belarusian banks and the potash sector
Relations between Minsk and Washington are entering a new stage. Following talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, U.S. special envoy John Cole announced the complete removal of key economic restrictions. The decision applies to the country’s financial sector and major export enterprises, BELTA reports.
Economic breakthrough: banks and potash
The main outcome of the meeting was the lifting of sanctions on the Belarusian Ministry of Finance, as well as two major financial institutions — Belinvestbank and the Development Bank.
Special attention was given to the potash industry. The issue, discussed since late 2025, has now been fully resolved: industry giants Belaruskali and the Belarusian Potash Company (BPC) have been removed from all sanctions lists. According to John Cole, the legal formalization of these decisions will be completed shortly, as mechanisms for cooperation with U.S. structures are already in place.
Diplomacy and personal contacts
The agenda also included the resumption of full operations of the U.S. Embassy in Minsk. Specific dates have not yet been announced, but both sides confirmed the importance of this step.
In addition, Washington is preparing for direct contacts between the leaders of the two countries. The special envoy confirmed the possibility of a personal meeting or a phone call between Alexander Lukashenko and Donald Trump in the near future. The Belarusian leader has also been invited to participate in future sessions of the Peace Council in the United States.
International dialogue and regional cooperation
The talks covered a wide range of bilateral and global issues. John Cole emphasized that Washington values Minsk’s independent and alternative perspective on global developments.
Particular attention was paid to regional stability. U.S. representatives expressed readiness to assist in normalizing relations between Belarus and neighboring Lithuania. Washington views this as an important part of its humanitarian mission aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and good-neighborly relations in the region.
ORIENT
