Most EU countries oppose Poland’s calls to extend embargo on Ukrainian grain imports

22 out of 27 EU countries have opposed the extension of the ban on imports of Ukrainian grain after mid-September. This was reported by POLITICO.

Ukrainian grain products are banned from the markets of Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia under an agreement concluded with the European Commission earlier this year to protect their farmers from the influx of cheaper Ukrainian products, but the restrictions are due to expire on September 15. However, the five countries are in favor of extending them at least until the end of the year.

Ambassadors of 22 EU member states have openly opposed the idea of extending the restrictions or remained deeply skeptical, a senior EU diplomat said. France and Germany were among the countries most critical of extending the ban.

The two diplomats said that while many countries recognize the difficulties faced by the five eastern countries, they have asked the Commission to propose alternative measures.

One EU diplomat from a country that was skeptical of an extension argued that Poland’s decision to extend import restrictions would be “purely political” and linked to the country’s upcoming elections in mid-October.

However, Poland believes that there are no substantial grounds to terminate the prohibitive measures. On the contrary, the country now sees even more reasons to extend the ban than it did in April, when these measures were first introduced.

Polish Minister of Agriculture Robert Telus has repeatedly stated that Warsaw is ready to impose a unilateral ban on imports of Ukrainian grain after September 15, if the European Commission does not extend the restriction.

At the same time, certain EU countries have stated that if Poland imposes unilateral restrictions, they may impose certain sanctions on it.

It is worth noting that Ukraine is categorically against the extension of the EU ban on the supply of agricultural products to Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania after September 15 and may apply mirror measures.

Tags: Ukraine, grain, EU, restrictions