EU prepares transitional measures after Ukraine 'trade visa-free' deal expires

European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill announced this at a briefing in Brussels on May 7, according to a correspondent from European Pravda.

The European Commission spokesperson said that after the expiration of the "trade visa-free regime" for Ukrainian exporters, transitional measures may be introduced to prevent trade conditions from reverting to pre-war restrictions. "As you all know, the autonomous trade measures expire on June 5. The Commission does not intend to extend the autonomous trade measures after this date," Olof Gill stated.

He recalled that the current priority for the European Commission is "working on the revision of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between Ukraine and the EU."

"We have made this clear from the very beginning. We want to improve the DCFTA to offer long-term predictability and stability for operators both in the EU and in Ukraine," the spokesperson emphasized.

According to him, such a transition will strengthen Ukraine’s prospects for gradual EU accession and help address sensitive issues on the EU side, particularly in the agri-food sector.

"We know there are time constraints. That’s why we are also considering possible transitional measures in case the negotiations on the DCFTA revision are not completed and implemented by June 6. So we will also discuss these potential transitional measures with Ukraine," Olof Gill said.

• The European Commission does not plan to extend the regime of autonomous trade measures for Ukraine (the so-called "trade visa-free regime"), which is in effect until June 5. However, a smooth transition to a new scheme is planned, where all trade liberalization conditions will be fixed in the free trade agreement between Ukraine and the EU.