The United States is pressing Ukraine to relax restrictions on imports of Belarusian potash fertilizers and has asked Kyiv to encourage European countries to follow suit, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the discussions. According to the report, Washington argues that allowing Belarusian potash back into wider markets could help reduce Minsk’s economic dependence on Moscow and create an opening for improved relations with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko’s regime. Potash is a key fertilizer ingredient, and Belarus has long been one of the world’s major producers.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The request follows earlier US sanctions relief for Belarusian potash firms. In March, Washington removed sanctions after Belarus released 250 prisoners in a deal brokered by the US, Reuters reported. However, European restrictions remain in force. The European Union sanctioned Belarusian potash in 2022 after Minsk supported Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and those measures are valid until February 2027, with the possibility of extension. The main logistical obstacle is Lithuania. Before sanctions, Belarus used Lithuania’s Klaipeda port to export potash to major buyers including India, China and Brazil. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said last week that Washington had increased pressure on Vilnius to restore Belarusian potash transit, but he ruled out discussions while EU sanctions remain in place.