Search
AI-powered
search, human-powered content.
We have updated our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for Eurasia Group and its affiliates, including GZERO Media, to clarify the types of data we collect, how we collect it, how we use data and with whom we share data. By using our website you consent to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, including the transfer of your personal data to the United States from your country of residence, and our use of cookies described in our Cookie Policy.
Farmers Gather To Protest In Warsaw. Polish farmers hold a banner that reads Stop poisoned food from Ukraine in Polish shops in Warsaw, Poland, on February 27, 2024.
In an attempt to ease tensions with their Polish neighbors, Kyiv says it is prepared to accept EU restrictions on Ukrainian agriculture exports.
The situation: Following Russia’s invasion two years ago, the EU showed solidarity to Kyiv by slashing agriculture tariffs on Ukraine, a leading grain exporter. As a result, Ukrainian grain flooded Poland and other neighboring markets, undercutting local prices.
Polish farmers and truckers have been protesting in response. Ukraine is keen to stay on good terms with one of its biggest military backers, and is only asking for EU sanctions on Russian agricultural products in return for accepting restrictions.
Poland’s prime minister has backed that compromise, but an EU-wide ban would be difficult to achieve, as several member states fear it would destabilize global markets and aggravate economic and social crises in developing countries. Russia is, after all, the world’s largest exporter of grain, and its global exports rose 36% last year, including 1.54 million tonnes of grain to the EU itself.
Officials from the two countries will meet again next Monday and hope to resolve the dispute before the end of the month.
