The European Union (EU) yesterday reacted negatively to the decision by Poland and Hungary, announced the day before, to ban the import of several Ukrainian food products to protect their own farmers.
“It is important to emphasize that trade policy is the exclusive competence of the EU and that unilateral actions are therefore not acceptable”, a spokesman for the European Commission said in a statement. “In such challenging times, it is crucial to coordinate and align all decisions within the EU,” he added.
The Russian invasion blocked Ukrainian export routes through the Black Sea, forcing them to look for alternatives through European countries. But, logistical problems are causing grains to pile up in the region, driving prices down. This caused an uproar among Polish farmers, something the nationalist Law and Justice (Pis, in power) wants to prevent in an election year.
“The government has decided to ban the entry and import of grains into Poland, as well as dozens of other types of food”, PiS leader, former Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, said on Saturday. Otherwise, he claimed, “it would cause a far-reaching crisis in the agricultural sector. We must protect Polish agriculture.” The party usually performs well in rural areas and there will be elections by the end of the year, with Kaczynski reiterating that this decision will not jeopardize Polish support for Ukraine.
Poland’s Agriculture Minister Henryk Kowalczyk had resigned at the beginning of the month – the same day Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, visited Poland – because the EU had decided to extend the tariff exemption on imports of Ukrainian grains until June 2024.
Like Poland, Hungary has also decided to ban the import of Ukrainian agricultural products until June 30. O The Polish government claims that the ban is possible because of a safety clause. Kiev regretted the decision, hoping to find a solution. already yesterday, Bulgaria has said it is also considering a ban.
Orthodox Easter
Russians and Ukrainians celebrated Orthodox Easter yesterday with an exchange of 100 prisoners. In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, presided over by Patriarch Cyril. “For years, his wise pastoral words have served to consolidate society. Now that we face major challenges, they are particularly important,” he said.
Zelensky said in a video message that he celebrated this Easter “with an unshakable belief in the irreversibility” of the victory over Russia.
with authorities
Source: DN
