US Discovers That Sanctions Against Belarus Worked About as Well as Liepāja's Tram in Winter

The US government has announced it's lifting sanctions against Belarus's potash salt giant "Belaruskali" and "Belinvestbank". The reason is simple - Alexander Lukashenko has released political prisoners, so now everything is fine. This is roughly like the Liepāja museum offering an exchange program - we give back one exhibit, but receive history that's actually interesting.

According to US logic, if you release people you imprisoned yourself, then you've become a champion of democracy. It's like saying a thief has become a saint because he returned half of what he stole.

"Belaruskali" is one of the world's largest potash salt suppliers, which means American farmers need fertilizer more than principles. While our Liepāja gardeners make do with sea air and optimism, Americans can't grow a single carrot without Belarusian potash.

Local commentator Jānis from Grobiņa Street admits: "If Americans had changed their minds about Covid restrictions this quickly, people wouldn't have sat at home for so long. But for potash salt, they immediately open the doors."

So sanctions against Belarus ended as unexpectedly as they began - with a political turn and economic calculations. At least Lukashenko can now export his potash again and import foreign recognition for being a good boy who releases those he imprisoned himself.