Moe says Trump going ‘too far’ with plan to lift sanctions on Russia

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Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says recent moves by U.S. President Donald Trump to reintroduce Russian goods into the world economy are “incredibly disturbing.”

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“The president has gone too far with this decision,” said Moe on Tuesday.

A White House briefing issued earlier in the day outlined steps the U.S. and Russia will take following the Russia-Ukraine Black Sea security deal, which helps to establish maritime security guarantees from Russia while the U.S. agrees to help lift sanctions against the country.

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“The United States will help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports,” read the briefing.

Once sanctioned potash is back on the market, it will mean more money coming into the Russian federation as it continues to wage war against Ukraine — a conflict which commenced on Feb. 24, 2022.

“I would remind the president that this is how you fund invasions,” said Moe. “They are killing Ukrainians each and every day by the president’s own words. This is incredibly disturbing.”

Though rarely in agreement with Moe, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck echoed the premier’s comments.

“It’s chilling,” said Beck. “Donald Trump has sided with (Russian President) Vladimir Putin at a time when he is still occupying and actively killing people in Ukraine.”

Beck raised the issue Tuesday during question period inside the Saskatchewan legislature and asked Moe to condemn Trump’s actions.

Moe said he has long tried to tone down rhetoric amid the trade war but spoke more forcefully as the news broke Tuesday.

“This is the most disturbing action that I think we’ve seen (from) the president of the United States since his election,” said Moe from the floor of the assembly.

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Saskatchewan’s potash revenue is projected at $720 million in 2025-26, down $76 million from the previous provincial budget. Saskatchewan is the world’s largest producer of potash, which is used in agriculture the world over as a fertilizer.

Russia is the second-largest exporter of potash and Belarus is third. Both nations saw a decrease in their global fertilizer exports after the Ukraine invasion due to sanctions from the European Union.

In his recent trade missions to the U.S., Moe said at no point was there ever talk or consideration of removing sanctions on Russian or Belarusian fertilizer.

In light of this latest move by the U.S., Beck said the recently tabled provincial budget needs to be revisited, calling it a “charade.”

The Opposition leader said it’s “a budget that booked nothing when it comes to contingencies to support Saskatchewan jobs and Saskatchewan industries that are obviously now under attack.”

alsalloum@postmedia.com

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