Edition: International | Greek
MENU

Home » EU Actually

Ukraine sues EU neighbours over food imports ban

Ukraine is one of the world’s biggest suppliers of crops such as sunflower oil, wheat, barley and maize

By: N. Peter Kramer - Posted: Wednesday, September 20, 2023

In a statement Ukraine let know that ’it is crucially important for us to prove that individual EU member states cannot ban import of Ukrainian goods. That is why we are filing lawsuits against them (Slovakia, Poland and Hungary) to the World Trade Organisation.
In a statement Ukraine let know that ’it is crucially important for us to prove that individual EU member states cannot ban import of Ukrainian goods. That is why we are filing lawsuits against them (Slovakia, Poland and Hungary) to the World Trade Organisation.

N. Peter Kramer’s Weekly Column

Ukraine is one of the world’s biggest suppliers of crops such as sunflower oil, wheat, barley and maize. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year all but closed the main Black Sea shipping lanes and forced Ukraine to find alternative overland routes. That in turn led to large quantities of grain ending up in central Europe. Farmers in those countries, threatened in their economic survival, have since held protest rallies, saying that Ukrainian grain shipments were undercutting them and distorting local markets.

This pressure led to the agreeing by the European Commission earlier this year to trade restrictions on Ukraine’s imports into Hungary, Poland, Slovakia as well as Bulgaria and Romania until 15 September. Although the situation did not really change, on the deadline day the Commission decided not to extend the ban. The governments in Budapest, Warsaw and Bratislava defied the Commission’s move, announcing their own restrictions.

In a statement Ukraine let know that ’it is crucially important for us to prove that individual EU member states cannot ban import of Ukrainian goods. That is why we are filing lawsuits against them (Slovakia, Poland and Hungary) to the World Trade Organisation. Poland said already it would keep its ban regardless, ‘A complaint before the WTO doesn’t impress us’.

Poland and Slovakia are two of the strongest key Ukraine’s allies in the fight against the Russian invasion. But for Kiev grain export seems more important than strong support in the war with Russia.

 

READ ALSO

EU Actually

Extreme weather or not, the climate summit in Belem is in danger

N. Peter KramerBy: N. Peter Kramer

That the weather is becoming more and more extreme does not lead to more political urgency

View 04/2021 2021 Digital edition

Magazine

Current Issue

04/2021 2021

View past issues
Subscribe
Advertise
Digital edition

Europe

The EU Needs Values-Based Engagement in the Southern Mediterranean

The EU Needs Values-Based Engagement in the Southern Mediterranean

As the EU prepares a new pact for its Southern neighborhood, the union should balance economic and security interests with support for civil society, political reforms, and inclusive governance

Business

To save the Single Market, bring back Delors’ 1992 playbook

To save the Single Market, bring back Delors’ 1992 playbook

Most people familiar with EU affairs know the single market is a myth. Hailed as the bedrock of the European Union, it was never completed and is now crumbling.

MARKET INDICES

Powered by Investing.com
All contents © Copyright EMG Strategic Consulting Ltd. 1997-2025. All Rights Reserved   |   Home Page  |   Disclaimer  |   Website by Theratron