Lukashenko proposes that the U.S. join a nitrogen fertilizer plant project in Belarus

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday that he had agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Gazprom to take part in a project to build a nitrogen fertilizer plant in Belarus, and proposed involving the United States.

Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has sought to improve ties with Washington after years of isolation and Western sanctions. Contacts between Minsk and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump have intensified since 2025.

Lukashenko said he and Putin had agreed to build the plant and that a site had already been chosen.

“We need to make an offer to the Americans. They want fertilizers, including nitrogen fertilizers, so please, let’s build it together, using your (American) technology,” he said. “If not, we will build it with Gazprom, with the Russians, and sell the finished product,” he added.

President Donald Trump said on Monday that Washington was working on a deal to buy potash fertilizer from Belarus at a lower price than the U.S. currently pays Canada.