Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Lithuania Rejects Softer Belarus Stance Amid Emerging US Engagement
Lithuania says the European Union should keep its sanctions on Belarus.
Its foreign minister says Belarus has not changed its behavior.
He accused the Belarusian government of repressing opponents and supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine.
He also said Belarus was creating security problems for nearby European countries.
These problems allegedly include directing migrants toward borders and sending balloons across them.
The United States recently helped secure the release of some political prisoners.
The United States is also discussing buying potash from Belarus.
Lithuania says prisoner releases are welcome, but sanctions should continue until Belarus changes its actions.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said the European Union should not ease sanctions on Belarus.
Budrys accused Alexander Lukashenko’s government of repression, human-rights violations and support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
He said Belarus continued posing a security threat through alleged migration weaponization, smuggling and balloon incursions.
The United States recently helped negotiate the release of Belarusian political prisoners and is discussing a potash purchase.
Budrys said Lithuania welcomed prisoner releases but believed continued sanctions pressure remained necessary.
- Who
- Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, the European Union, the United States and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s government.
- What
- Lithuania urged the European Union not to soften its sanctions policy toward Belarus.
- When
- The comments were made Monday at the United Nations General Assembly, a week after a negotiated prisoner release.
- Where
- At the United Nations General Assembly; the security concerns primarily involve Lithuania, Poland and Latvia.
- Why
- Budrys said Belarus continued repressing opponents, violating human rights, supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine and conducting activities that threaten European security.
Continued Sanctions Pressure
Targeted US Engagement
Sanctions policy
Continued Sanctions Pressure
Lithuania argues that Belarus has not changed its behavior and that sanctions remain an effective way to pressure the government.
Targeted US Engagement
The United States has pursued negotiations that produced prisoner releases and is discussing a potash purchase from Belarus, suggesting a more targeted engagement approach.
Prisoner releases
Continued Sanctions Pressure
Lithuania welcomes the release of political prisoners but says releases should not lead to broader sanctions relief while repression continues.
Targeted US Engagement
The United States negotiated the release of political prisoners in exchange for some sanctions being lifted.
Security assessment
Continued Sanctions Pressure
Lithuania says Belarus continues to threaten European security through alleged hybrid activities and support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Targeted US Engagement
The reported US approach focuses on specific agreements with Belarus rather than maintaining the same level of overall pressure described by Lithuania.
- Lithuanian official
- Kęstutis Budrys, Lithuania’s foreign minister
- Belarusian leader
- Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994
- EU sanctions
- The European Union’s current Belarus sanctions framework remains in force until February 2027
- Political prisoners
- Budrys said about 1,000 prisoners remained, while welcoming recent releases
- US-Belarus discussions
- The United States is working on a deal to purchase potash from Belarus
- Alleged security activities
- Migration weaponization, smuggling operations and balloon incursions affecting European Union members
- Broader disagreement
- The comments highlighted a growing difference between United States and European Union approaches to Belarus