Grain disputes with EU countries: Ukraine sets condition for withdrawal of WTO claim

Ukraine's Deputy Economy Minister Taras Kachka said this during the telethon.

"It is very important for us that the Polish side and other states, as well as the European Union, guarantee us that such restrictions will not happen in the future... So, of course, only when we receive guarantees will we formally announce to the whole world that this dispute is over. I think this issue will be the last to be considered," the official said.

According to him, it is now essential to launch a mechanism for licensing agricultural products, which Ukraine considers the most appropriate step to resolve the issue.

"The WTO lawsuits, as we can see from the reaction of our partners, were quite the right step," Kachka added.

Some details regarding ban on Ukraine grain imports

On May 2, the European Commission adopted temporary safeguard measures against imports of certain agricultural products from Ukraine to 5 EU countries. Initially, the ban was introduced until June 5. However, on May 12, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary called on the European Commission to extend the embargo on agricultural products from Ukraine until the end of the year.

On September 15, the European Commission decided not to extend the ban on Ukrainian grain exports to the EU: Poland, Hungary and Slovakia announced that they would extend the embargo unilaterally.

Ukraine filed a lawsuit with the WTO against the EU countries that maintain restrictions on grain imports. At the same time, Poland said it would not change its decision because it was trying to protect local farmers.

Ukraine announced that it may stop importing apples, onions, cabbage, and tomatoes from Poland.

On September 21, Ukraine had proposed an agricultural export plan to Slovakia, and Bratislava called it acceptable.

On September 26, Ukraine sent a proposal to 5 EU countries to export agricultural products. Romania and Poland have already responded, with the latter calling the plan good.