The United States has decided to lift sanctions on Belarusian potash fertilizers, once the country’s main source of foreign income before Western penalties sharply curtailed exports, according to a report by Bloomberg. The decision, ordered by President Donald Trump and taking effect immediately, was confirmed by Belarus’s state news agency Belta, citing comments made by U.S. special envoy John Coale during a visit to Minsk on Saturday.

Coale described the move as a positive development for Belarus following two days of discussions in the capital, saying the sanctions are being removed now. He added that further restrictions could also be rolled back as diplomatic ties between Washington and Minsk improve, potentially leading to the elimination of all remaining sanctions, Belta reported.

The move aligns with Trump’s broader effort to restore relations with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who maintains close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Bloomberg noted that the impact of Washington’s decision may be limited unless the European Union also relaxes its measures. Current EU sanctions block the transit of Belarusian potash through Lithuania, which previously served as the main export route to the Baltic port of Klaipeda.