Ukraine is ready to accept restrictions on its trade with the European Union to defuse a bitter political dispute with Poland, but is also calling on the EU to ban imports of Russian grain. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka, reports the Financial Times.
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Kachka said Kiev favors new restrictions on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products, although the EU should also ban exports of Russian agricultural products that still enter the bloc through Belarus and the Baltic states.
“Maybe for a transition period, this kind of managed approach to trade flows between Ukraine and the EU is what we all need,” Kachka said. But he added: “As for wheat, it is not Ukraine that is creating problems for Polish farmers, but Russia.”
Kachka noted that Kiev supports new measures proposed by Brussels to establish restrictions on the import of eggs, poultry and sugar from June, as well as allowing individual countries to close their markets for Ukrainian grain, with the exception of further transit to other countries.
< p>Kiev also recently agreed to redirect corn exports to Italy and Spain via the Black Sea, rather than by road through neighboring countries, in order to reduce tensions.
“We have voluntarily stopped allowing corn exports to all five neighboring states- members. Despite this, we achieved another new record in exports – 15 million tons of corn in calendar 2023. So we have a lot of demand in other countries. Ukraine has filled the gaps in EU production,” Kaczka said.
Recall
Polish farmers reported that they continue protests on the border with Ukraine until April 30.
C On February 9, 2024, on the territory of Poland near the border with Ukraine, protests by farmers continue on the roads leading to checkpoints.
The main demands of the protesters are a ban on the import of Ukrainian agricultural products and Poland’s refusal of the European Green Deal.