At the meeting of the EU Council on agricultural issues, Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy Vitaliy Koval emphasized that Ukraine is not asking for privileges in its relations with the European Union. He stated:
This is reported by Finway
“Ukraine is not asking for privileges. We are asking for a partnership that works in wartime conditions. This is about equal, transparent, and predictable trade rules that help us endure”
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Koval also highlighted the severe losses that the Ukrainian agricultural sector has suffered due to Russian aggression, which have already exceeded $83.9 billion. The Minister noted that Russia has launched over 900 missiles and drones at Ukraine in recent days. In wartime conditions, it is critically important for Ukraine to establish predictable trade relations with the EU, as the agricultural sector accounts for 17.5% of Ukraine’s GDP and 59% of its exports.
Negotiations on a New Trade Agreement
In turn, Poland’s Minister of Agriculture Czesław Siekierski, who currently holds the EU presidency, noted that a new agreement between Ukraine and the EU will require consideration of the interests of all member states in the bloc. He emphasized that Poland is not interested in importing Ukrainian grain, as it exports its own. However, other countries such as Germany, Spain, and Italy are showing interest in importing Ukrainian grain.
Siekierski also pointed out that while negotiations on new trade terms are ongoing, from June 6, Ukraine and the EU will revert to the norms established by the Association Agreement, which limit the volumes of Ukrainian agricultural exports.