Poland’s stance on Ukraine’s grain exports is guided by a balance of national interests and regional responsibilities, as explained by government spokesman Piotr Müller on Polish Radio. While at times Polish priorities align with those of Ukraine, there are areas where the two positions diverge, Müller noted, reflecting a careful navigation of external pressures and domestic concerns in the current conflict environment.
Polish interests
In response to remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that he was disappointed by neighborly protectionist actions toward Ukrainian grain, Müller was asked to comment on Poland’s approach. He stressed that after the outbreak of the war, Poland acted as a responsible neighbor, demonstrating how to assist others while safeguarding its own security and economic stability in the face of aggressive aggression from Russia.
He added that there are situations where interests cannot be reconciled, and the Polish government must defend Poland’s priorities, even when they do not perfectly align with Ukraine’s goals.
Müller emphasized that, on many occasions, Polish and Ukrainian interests move in the same direction, but there are clear instances where they diverge. The government has repeatedly informed the Ukrainian side of how significant these issues are, and when responses were not forthcoming, Poland chose actions consistent with its national interest.
He also noted that the relationship with Ukraine remains important and constructive, even as Poland pursues policies that protect its own sectors and communities.
Will there be any further actions?
When asked whether Poland would continue to implement new measures, such as closing borders to certain agricultural products, Müller replied that the aim is to avoid further restrictions if possible. He pointed to the European Commission’s recognition that Poland can act when necessary, with coordination at the EU level as a guiding principle.
As context, since April 15, Poland halted imports of grains and other Ukrainian goods at its border. On May 2, the European Commission reached a broader agreement with Poland and several neighboring countries — Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia — to implement temporary safeguards on Ukrainian agri-food products. The European Commission stated that these countries had agreed to lift unilateral measures on these and other Ukrainian-origin products, and that the Polish ministerial ordinance from April 21, 2023, banning Ukrainian agricultural imports, was repealed on the same day.
Between May 2 and June 5, an EU regulation remained in effect in Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia that restricted the free movement of wheat, maize, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds from Ukraine within those borders, while permitting transit through the five countries. This framework allowed limited movement while shielding national markets from sudden surges in Ukrainian grain while EU-level coordination continued.
Additional context includes related coverage on the suspension of import duties on Ukrainian grain and public discussions about how the EU should manage Ukrainian food exports. The broader political and economic debate continues to shape the balance between open trade within the EU and the protection of domestic agricultural sectors.
Source reporting reflects ongoing updates from national officials and EU authorities as these measures evolve in response to market conditions and geopolitical developments.