Home Updates EU Dismisses Proposals to Ban Ukrainian Grain

EU Dismisses Proposals to Ban Ukrainian Grain

The European Commission has rejected Poland and Hungary's recent ban on the import of Ukrainian grains. The governments of both countries cited the need to protect their own agricultural sectors from inexpensive imports.

Ukrainian Grain Bans Turned Down by EU

On Monday, ambassadors of the European Union held talks in Brussels regarding the temporary ban imposed by certain member states on imports of grain and other commodities from Ukraine. Following Hungary and Poland, Slovakia also banned certain food imports from Ukraine. Several other central and eastern European countries have also indicated that they may consider taking similar measures. The primary reason cited by the three countries is that the influx of inexpensive agricultural imports is causing harm to their local farmers. Poland and Hungary have declared that their bans will continue until June 30.

Ukraine and Poland commenced discussions on Monday in Warsaw to settle the grain-related issue. According to The Associated Press, officials representing the EU’s executive arm emphasized the importance of finding a resolution that adheres to the legal framework of the EU. Eric Mamer, the Chief Spokesman for the EU Commission, acknowledged that Poland and other countries had made significant efforts to assist Ukraine, indicating that this situation is not about imposing sanctions. Instead, the focus is on identifying a solution that satisfies the Ukrainians and the EU while complying with EU regulations.

Poland Seeks EU Support to Alleviate Pressure Caused by Ukraine’s Food Imports

During the talks between Ukraine and Poland, Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Telus stated that Ukraine requires assistance, but the expenses associated with this aid must be distributed among all European countries rather than just the frontline states, particularly Poland. The issue of imported food has presented challenges for Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party, with elections scheduled later this year and a significant proportion of their support coming from rural areas.

Meanwhile, EU officials will continue discussions on Tuesday as Kyiv attempts to renegotiate the transit of food and grain via Poland. The bans imposed by certain EU member states on imports from Ukraine coincide with a warning from Russia that it may not renew a Black Sea grain agreement that expires on May 18. If this occurs, it will leave millions of tons of grain stranded within Ukraine. As a significant agricultural producer, Ukraine’s economy relies heavily on food sales, constituting a substantial proportion of its gross domestic product.

Russian Foreign Minister in Brazil

On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov revealed the country’s desire for a swift resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference in Brasilia alongside his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira, Lavrov acknowledged the support of his colleague in comprehending the origins of the situation in Ukraine. He also affirmed that Russia is vested in concluding the conflict as soon as feasible.

Russia has reaffirmed that it will only participate in peace negotiations regarding Ukraine if they recognize the “realities” of Russia’s independent annexation of four Ukrainian provinces. Moscow claims it was compelled to intervene in Ukraine to safeguard Russian speakers from discrimination and prevent the West from exploiting Ukraine as a launching pad to threaten Russia’s security. However, Kyiv and Western nations argue that these are unfounded pretexts for a conquest war that has witnessed the commission of war crimes.

The United States White House has harshly condemned Brazil for holding an in-person meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov while only engaging with Ukrainian officials over the phone. According to National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, Brazil is repeating the propaganda of China and Russia on Ukraine without considering the realities. However, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira rejected the accusation, asserting that he disagreed with Kirby’s conclusion. United States Attorney General Merrick Garland met with Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin at the Department of Justice in Washington in another development. The two officials discussed the possibility of collaborating to prosecute war criminals involved in Russia’s incursion into Ukraine.

G-7 Sanctions on Russia

During their meeting in Japan, the foreign ministers from the G-7 nations reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine while pledging to increase and reinforce sanctions against Russia. According to a statement from Tokyo’s foreign ministry, the ministers emphasized that Russia must withdraw all its forces and equipment from Ukraine without delay or conditions. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi also stressed the importance of maintaining solidarity in enforcing sanctions against Russia during the meeting, which focused on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The G-7, formerly the G-8 until Russia’s expulsion following the annexation of Crimea in 2014, has emphasized its commitment to supporting Ukraine and intensifying sanctions against Russia. The G-7 foreign ministers have condemned Russia’s decision to deploy tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin last month. The ministers reaffirmed that Russia’s nuclear rhetoric is “unacceptable” and irresponsible.

Bans on Ukrainian Grain Rejected by EU
Bans on Ukrainian Grain Rejected by EU
Source: Web

Land Mine-related Threats

On Monday, the British Defense Ministry drew attention to the escalating number of deaths caused by landmines in Ukraine that are affecting civilians. The ministry pointed out that the problem is most severe in the previously occupied areas by Russian forces, such as Kharkiv and Kherson, and that the risk of landmine incidents rises during agricultural work in the spring.

According to the British Defense Ministry, since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, there have been over 750 civilian casualties related to landmines, with one in eight involving a child. The ministry stated that the issue is most prevalent in areas previously occupied by Russian troops, such as Kherson and Kharkiv, and that the risk increases during the springtime agricultural work. The ministry’s latest daily assessment projected that clearing Ukraine of mines would take at least ten years.

Meanwhile, a prominent opposition activist was sentenced to 25 years in prison by Russia on Monday on treason charges after he criticized Russia’s war in Ukraine. The sentence given to Kara-Murza is the most severe punishment meted out to a Kremlin critic since Putin’s ascent to power in 1999. The sentencing of Vladimir Kara-Murza marks another instance of the ongoing repression of the opposition in Russia, which began after Putin’s complete invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Read Also: Ukraine Grain Exports Should Resume Within Days – United Nations

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