“FT”: Ukraine is ready to make concessions in trade with Poland. But there are also harsh words from Minister Kaczka

Ukraine aims to end the trade dispute with Poland, but at the same time calls on the European Union to introduce a ban on the import of Russian grain, reports on Wednesday. Therefore, it seems that Kiev and Warsaw are speaking with one voice on this matter, because on Tuesday they announced the imposition of sanctions on goods from Russia and Belarus. The Prime Minister announced that at the current session of the Sejm he would ask Szymon Hołownia to ask the Sejm to adopt a resolution calling on the European Commission to impose an embargo on agricultural products originating from there.

Ukraine is ready to make concessions in trade with Poland and the EU

Ukrainian Trade Minister Taras Kachka told the FT that Kiev is ready for new restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural products, but at the same time the EU should also stop buying Russian products that still reach the West through Belarus and the Baltic countries. Kiev adds that restrictions on the import of Ukrainian goods could be introduced “for a transitional period.” – In the case of wheat, it is not Ukraine that causes problems for Polish farmers, but Russia – added Kaczka. Let us recall that after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the European Union abolished customs duties on Ukrainian imports, but Poland and other neighboring countries were flooded, among others. Ukrainian grain.

This led to farmers protesting at the border against unfair competition. In September 2023, the European Commission did not extend the unilateral ban on imports of goods from Ukraine introduced by the PiS government. The current government does not hide the fact that such a “nuclear option” in trade with Ukraine is still on the table in the face of farmers’ protests. This is emphasized by, among others, Law and Justice. However, the government has not yet implemented this solution

Taras Kaczka on grain spilling: Moscow is behind it

The Financial Times emphasizes that the embargo on Russian and Belarusian goods will be difficult to implement throughout the European Union “because several member states oppose such a move for fear that it will destabilize world markets and exacerbate economic and social crises in developing countries.” Russian grain exports to the EU increased by over 50% in 2022–2023, to 1.5 million tons.

Taras Kaczka, in an interview with “FT”, accused Moscow of inciting protests by Polish farmers. In his opinion, Russia is “definitely” behind the latest high-profile case. He also believes that the Russians are involved “in cases of vandalism or sabotage.” The Ukrainian Minister of Trade added that Kiev supports the new solutions recently proposed by Brussels, which impose limits on imports of eggs, poultry and sugar from June and allow individual countries to close their markets to Ukrainian grain, except for further transit to other countries.