Poland, Hungary and Slovakia are continuing to push for extending a ban on grain imports from Ukraine until the end of the year, warning of disruptions to their domestic markets, according to people familiar with the issue.
The three states along with Bulgaria and Romania only allow the transit of Ukrainian grain through their territory in an arrangement that expires on Sept. 15. Bulgaria, though voicing concerns, remained flexible at a meeting of ambassadors from European Union countries Wednesday, said the people who asked not to be named on confidential talks.
Finding a solution is becoming more urgent as the deadline nears. Janusz Wojciechowski, European commissioner for agriculture, wants the ban prolonged until year-end while also offering subsidies to Ukrainian companies to support the cost of Ukrainian grain transit through Europe. The European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, has yet to take a decision on whether to support the ban extension.
Ukraine has warned that it will challenge any extension of the grain import ban with an arbitration panel. It has been relying on export channels to EU neighbors after Russia pulled out of a grain deal that allowed exports via its Black Sea ports. In April, Poland banned imports after demonstrations by farmers complaining about a grain influx reducing their prices, which was followed by other four bordering states.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy complained Wednesday against further restrictions while other countries that process Ukrainian agricultural products make money from the logistics and transit.
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