The EU agreed on duty-free trade for Ukraine until June 2025: new conditions

The European Union has extended duty-free trade for Ukraine until June 2025, but with certain conditions. The corresponding decision was made by the ambassadors of the EU member states and the European Parliament, who agreed on new rules of preferential trade and possible quotas for Ukrainian agricultural products, while protecting European farmers.

The EU temporarily suspended tariffs and quotas for Ukrainian products, but reserved the right to introduce restrictions in case of exceeding the volume of products from Ukraine of certain categories. These restrictions will be applied if exports exceed average figures for the period from July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023.

"If significant violations occur on the EU market or the markets of one or more EU countries due to Ukrainian imports, for example wheat, the regulation guarantees that the European Commission can take quick measures and apply any necessary restrictions," the European Parliament noted.

Previously, the EU planned to keep trade with Ukraine at the level of the years of the full-scale invasion, when Ukrainian agricultural products were imported without restrictions. However, France and Poland insisted on taking into account the pre-war year 2021. The compromise was the inclusion of the second half of 2021.

The new agreement allows Ukraine to export its products without tariffs and quotas, but establishes control mechanisms to protect European farmers. This decision aims to support the Ukrainian economy, while maintaining the stability of the EU internal market.

Thus, the EU demonstrates its support for Ukraine in difficult times, providing opportunities for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products. At the same time, the new conditions aim to prevent possible negative consequences for European farmers, ensuring a balance of interests of all parties.