Poland continues to apply pressure
Slovakia and Ukraine agree on grain imports
September 21, 2023, 4:08 p.m
In recent days there has been a threat of escalation in the conflict over import bans for Ukrainian grain. According to Slovakia, Slovakia and Ukraine are now agreeing on a new trading system. Warsaw and Kiev are working on a solution. For this to happen, the exporting country would have to withdraw a lawsuit.
The dispute between several Eastern European EU countries over grain imports from Ukraine is entering the next round: the governments of Slovakia and Ukraine want to settle the differences through a licensing system. Poland and Ukraine are also negotiating a solution.
The agriculture ministers of Slovakia and Ukraine have now agreed to set up a licensing system for grain trade so that the ban on imports of four Ukrainian products into Slovakia can be lifted. This was announced by the Slovakian Ministry of Agriculture. “Until this system is established and fully tested, the ban on imports of four raw materials from Ukraine remains in effect.” Ukraine has also agreed to suspend the complaint to the WTO, the Slovak ministry said.
After Zoff: Poland and Ukraine are on the phone
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture announced negotiations with Poland “in the next few days” to resolve the grain dispute. Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyj spoke on the phone with his Polish colleague Robert Telus, the government in Kiev announced. “The two parties have reaffirmed their close and constructive relations,” said the ministry in Kiev after the phone call. The ministers discussed the situation and the Ukrainian proposal and agreed to “find a solution that takes into account the interests of both countries,” it said.
The basis is a proposal from Ukraine, which was not elaborated on. Poland will examine this plan and make its own proposals, Solskyj’s ministry said. According to the PAP agency, Telus said it was pleased that Ukraine was now talking directly to Poland. He demanded that Kiev should withdraw a complaint before the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Poland’s government supports its own farmers
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.
On Friday, the EU Commission declared the end of the trade restrictions. However, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia announced that they would not adhere to it. Poland also threatened to impose import restrictions on additional products after Ukraine previously declared that it would block Polish vegetable imports in response to the import restrictions. In the dispute, Poland even summoned the Ukrainian ambassador because of statements made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
To the annoyance of Ukraine, Poland only allowed grain to pass through in transit, but not to the domestic market. Especially during election campaigns, the leadership in Warsaw defends the interests of Polish farmers. The tone between the close allies has therefore become rougher in recent days. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki even seemed to question arms deliveries to Ukraine in an interview.
Poland has been one of the strongest supporters of its neighboring country Ukraine and has also urged other NATO countries to supply Ukraine with weapons. For a long time, Poland also took in the most Ukrainian war refugees, but Germany has now taken over this position, which has also become Ukraine’s second largest arms supplier after the USA.