Polish farmers protest against the decision of the European Union (EU) to exempt agricultural products from customs duties from Ukraine, the collapse of the transit of grain and other Ukrainian goods to European lands. After weeks of tension, the Warsaw government, led by the ultra-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, chose this weekend to ban not only the importation of grain and other agricultural products, but also the transit through its territory, until at least June. 30.
Almost the same decision was taken by Hungary, which brought the land transport of grain from Ukraine, the world’s major grain exporter, to a near standstill.
The route through the Black Sea, agreed with Russiathrough Türkiye and the UN, so that certain sea corridors are complied with in these transports. The extension agreed between Kiev and Moscow a few weeks ago is unclear, as both countries maintain different versions of its duration and scope.
Warsaw’s decision now leaves the viability of the mainland alternative in the air since the early 2000s. russian invasion Two-thirds of Ukrainian grain exports were in circulation.
government Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawieckiinsists that the measure is temporary and not against Kiev, but against the EU decision to exempt Ukrainian grain from tariffs, without considering the consequences at the national level. The removal of European tariffs on Kiev has unleashed protests in the Polish countryside, where grain and other food products pile up in their home country at advantageous prices and cannot find a way out of their own.
There are not only grains shipped to other European countries or Africa, but also fruits and vegetables, dairy products and a long list of products.
A minister has already fallen
rural protests they already have a head of Agriculture Minister Henryk Kowalczykwho submitted his resignation 10 days ago. It coincided with the visit of Ukrainian president Volodímir Zelensky to Warsaw.
This was his first official visit to the Polish capital, Kiev’s main European ally, since the outbreak of war. Warsaw is a country that Russia has attacked so far. Reception of millions of refugees and military aidIncluding “Leopard 2” tanks and “Mig-29” fighters.
Zelensky was later received by his Polish counterpart. Andrzej Dudabetween the maximum expressions of solidarity and the commitment of new shipments of these warplanes. Both tried to resolve the camp conflict on tiptoe. same day Kowalczyk was relieved In position by the new head of Agriculture, robert tellus.
Rural unrest is something PiS cannot afford this election year. In autumn, legislative elections will be held in Poland, which is a heavily agricultural country. Morawieki’s ultra-conservative party and Duda’s party won the 2019 parliamentary elections but do not have a majority in the Senate, despite officially becoming presidents as independents. Feel the pressure of the opposition Civic Platform (PO), among its allies also included the so-called Peasants’ Party (SPL) four years ago.
PiS cannot fail the countryside, but neither can it leave Ukrainian grain collapsed. It suits Hungary to share the ban, as it is not exactly among Kiev’s Western allies. in search of a solution for at least unlock freight transport Visit of the Minister of Agriculture of Ukraine to Warsaw, Mykola Solski.