reuters The said move came after the European Commission (EC) decided not to extend sanctions on Ukrainian grain to Kiev’s five European Union (EU) neighbours.
Ukraine was one of the world’s top grain exporters before Russia launched a special military campaign last year, reducing Kiev’s ability to ship agricultural products to global markets.
Since then Ukrainian farmers have had to rely on grain exports through neighboring countries as the country cannot use convenient routes through Black Sea ports.
The ship delivered grain via Romania last year. Photo: Reuters
However, the influx of grains and oilseeds into Ukraine’s neighboring countries caused prices there to decline, affecting the incomes of local farmers and prompting those governments to impose restrictions on agricultural imports. Product from Ukraine.
In May, the EU moved to prevent individual countries from imposing unilateral sanctions. The EU allows Ukraine to export grain to these countries on the condition that the product be sold elsewhere.
Additionally, the EU announced that the sanctions were to expire on 15 September after Ukraine committed to implementing measures to tighten export controls to neighboring countries. The issue is especially sensitive now as farmers harvest and prepare to sell grain.
EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis asked countries to refrain from unilateral measures against Ukraine’s grain imports. But Poland, Slovakia and Hungary reacted quickly by reimposing their own sanctions on Ukrainian grain imports.
It is unclear how much Ukraine has committed to restricting exports or how the new restrictions will affect the flow of products out of Ukraine. The issue highlights divisions within the EU over the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on members’ economies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the EU’s latest decision, and said his government would react “in a civilized manner” if EU member states violate EU rules.
