EU ‘surprised’ by Ukrainian reaction to grain ban — RT World News
Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski says bloc will take appropriate action in response to kyiv’s WTO complaint
European Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said he was surprised by Ukraine’s decision to lodge a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. The three EU states have broken ranks with Brussels by refusing to lift embargoes on the import of Ukrainian agricultural products.
“I was quite surprised that Ukraine chose this path, given the enormous efforts made so far by member states. » Wojciechowski said, speaking at a news conference in Brussels on Monday.
He said it would be “very easy” to show that kyiv has not suffered any damage in its grain export volumes, adding that despite the embargo imposed by the three EU states, Ukraine’s grain shipments have increased.
The commissioner nevertheless stressed that he hoped the EU and Ukraine could resolve the problem. “through dialogue and mutual agreement” and what remains “optimistic” that such a dialogue will take place. He also noted that Brussels currently has no plans to introduce sanctions against countries that have maintained import bans on Ukrainian grain.
Wojciechowski’s comments come after Kyiv announced on Monday that it would sue Poland, Hungary and Slovakia at the WTO over their unilateral grain bans and would in turn consider imposing trade restrictions. in retaliation.
The three countries chose to maintain their embargoes despite Brussels’ choice to lift restrictions on Ukrainian shipments of wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflowers last week. Officials in Budapest, Warsaw and Bratislava said cheap Ukrainian agricultural products undercut domestic prices and threatened the livelihoods of local farmers.
kyiv has, however, warned that it will take legal action against any EU country that decides to ban its cereals in violation of decisions taken in Brussels. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky stressed that he was “It is important to ensure that European unity works bilaterally” and that “neighbors support Ukraine” in the conflict with Russia.
RT
