Lithuania takes responsibility
Warsaw and Kiev agree on grain trade
October 3rd, 2023, 1:55 p.m
Ukraine is a large grain exporter. But since the attack by Russia, the previous sea routes have been blocked. In order to continue to serve markets in Africa and the Middle East, Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania agree on new rules. This will also resolve the diplomatic tensions with Kiev.
Poland and Ukraine have achieved a breakthrough in their dispute over Ukrainian grain exports. In an agreement with Lithuania, the countries agreed to speed up the transit of exports for markets in Africa and the Middle East through Poland. As of tomorrow, Wednesday, exports that are to be shipped via Lithuanian ports will no longer be checked at the Polish-Ukrainian border, said Poland’s Agriculture Minister Robert Telus.
Accordingly, Lithuania will assume “full responsibility” for inspecting the goods. Poland will continue to build transit corridors “because it is good for Polish farmers, for Ukraine, for the European Union and for the whole world.”
Russia blocks Black Sea route
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has blocked the classic export route for Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea. The EU imposed trade restrictions on Ukraine for overland transport in order to protect farmers in transit countries – including Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania.
Grain from Ukraine was allowed to be transported through the countries, but not sold there. When the restrictions expired, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia extended the ban, causing diplomatic tensions with Kiev. At the end of September, Slovakia and Ukraine had already agreed on a new trading system.