A minister has already fallen
Polish farmers are reacting to the European Union decision to remove tariffs on Ukrainian agricultural goods. The move, which turned Ukraine into a major supplier for the region, has disrupted the flow of grain and other Ukrainian products into European markets. After weeks of protests, the government in Warsaw decided this weekend to halt not only the import of grain and related goods but also their transit through Polish territory until at least the end of June.
Hungary echoed the stance, pulling back on land transport of Ukrainian grain and nearly bringing that route to a standstill. The Black Sea corridor remains in play, with arrangements between Kyiv, Ankara and the United Nations in place to keep certain sea routes open for these shipments. The length and scope of a recent extension agreed by Kyiv and Moscow remain unclear, as each side presents a different version of the arrangement.
The Polish halt raises questions about the sustainability of the continental route that has served as an alternative since the early 2000s, particularly as the country watches two thirds of Ukrainian grain exports move through its lands. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki insists the measure is temporary and aimed not at Kyiv but at the EU’s tariff exemption policy for Ukrainian grain, arguing that the move did not account for national consequences. The removal of European tariffs on Ukrainian goods has spurred protests in rural areas, where farmers say locally produced grain and other foods can’t find enough outlets due to the price advantage created by exemptions.
The disruptions extend beyond grain alone. Fruits, vegetables, dairy products and a long list of Ukrainian exports are affected as shipments struggle to find paths to markets across Europe and Africa.
One consequence of the unrest is a change in leadership. The agriculture ministry faced turmoil as Minister Henryk Kowalczyk resigned ten days ago, the move coinciding with a visit by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to Warsaw. This marked Zelensky’s first official visit to the Polish capital since the war began, highlighting Poland’s role as a key ally in supporting Kyiv with refugees, military aid and air defense capabilities including advanced tanks and fighter jets.
During the visit, Zelensky met with the Polish prime minister to reaffirm solidarity and discuss continued shipments of defense equipment. The same day, Kowalczyk stepped aside and the post was filled by the new head of Agriculture, Robert Telus. The shift underscores how rural unrest intersects with national politics, especially in an election year when Poland is set to hold parliamentary elections in the autumn. The ruling party, known for its conservative stance, faces pressure from the main opposition Civic Platform and its allies, including a party long tied to farmers in the countryside.
For the government, a balance is needed between supporting Kyiv and protecting domestic farmers. While Hungary finds common ground with the Polish stance by backing a pause on Ukrainian grain, it is clear that the issue is not solely about one country. In search of a path forward, Ukraine’s agriculture minister visited Warsaw to discuss ways to unlock freight corridors and stabilize supplies, but any resolution will require alignment among multiple international players and careful handling of domestic economic realities.