Eastern European Nations Unite to Reinforce Ban on Ukrainian Grain Imports, Challenging the EU
Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary spark tensions with the EU as they choose to prolong their ban on Ukrainian grain imports, defying the leadership of the bloc
Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia are set to defy the European Union by extending the temporary ban on Ukrainian grain imports. This move is expected to provoke the bloc's leadership.
Last Friday, the EU revealed its intentions to lift the temporary ban on exporting Ukrainian grain to specific countries in Eastern Europe.
In May, a temporary measure was implemented to prohibit the importation of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed, and sunflower seed to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. This measure aimed to prevent farmers in these countries from facing competition from an excess of inexpensive Ukrainian grain. Given Ukraine's reliance on its neighboring countries to transport exports due to its inability to use Black Sea routes, Ukraine holds a significant role as a grain supplier.
Prime Minister Morawiecki stated, according to Polish state news agency PAP, that despite the European Union's disagreement, they will continue to enforce this ban.
"We will not heed the voices of Berlin or von der Leyen, Tusk or Weber. Our actions shall be driven solely by the welfare of the Polish farmer," Morawiecki asserted, alluding to the EU leaders.
Combines harvest wheat in a field in the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian-controlled Ukraine.
Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters
On Friday, Piotr Muller, the spokesperson for the Polish government, proclaimed that the government intends to promptly implement a regulation that expands the prohibition on importing Ukrainian grain. Muller emphasized that this action is being undertaken to safeguard the welfare of Polish farmers and consumers. Furthermore, Hungary has decided to maintain the ban, as announced by Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Saturday via the social media platform "X," formerly referred to as Twitter. Orban stated his intention to independently handle the situation.
"Ukrainian agricultural products intended for Africa are inundating Central European markets. The bureaucrats in Brussels are once again ignoring the challenges faced by European farmers, compelling Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia to further prohibit imports at a national level," emphasized Orban.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Slovakia's Ministry of Agriculture declared its determination to extend the ban, citing the requirement to protect Slovakia's "domestic market."
The decision of the three countries to implement their individual measures may provoke frustration among EU officials. Prior to this, on Friday, Valdis Dombrovskis, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, urged countries to adhere to the principles outlined in the new agreement and avoid implementing independent measures concerning imports of Ukrainian grain.
