Most EU countries oppose extension of embargo on Ukrainian grain imports

22 of the 27 European Union countries are against extending restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports beyond mid-September, according to information released by POLITICO.

Ukrainian grain products have been restricted on the markets of Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia based on an agreement concluded with the European Commission earlier this year. The purpose of this restriction was to protect EU farmers from competition from cheaper Ukrainian products. However, the restrictions are due to end on September 15. Nevertheless, five countries are in favor of extending these restrictions at least until the end of the year.

Diplomats from 22 EU member states have openly opposed the idea of extending the restrictions or remained deeply skeptical, according to a senior EU diplomat. France and Germany were among the countries most critical of the ban's extension.

Some EU countries recognize the difficulties faced by the five eastern countries, but they have called on the European Commission to propose alternative measures.

According to an EU diplomat, who is skeptical, Poland's decision to extend the import restrictions is "purely political" and is linked to the upcoming elections in the country scheduled for mid-October.

Poland is convinced that there are no objective grounds for ending the restrictions, and on the contrary, its position on grain supplies from Ukraine has become even more reasonable compared to April, when the restrictions were first introduced.

Polish Minister of Agriculture Robert Telus reported 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 restrictions.

At the same time, some EU countries warned Poland that they could impose sanctions on it if it imposed unilateral restrictions.

It is important to note that Ukraine is strongly opposed to the extension of the EU ban on agricultural supplies to Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania after September 15 and may take appropriate measures in accordance with the principle of "mirror measures".