The Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture and Food Policy responded to Poland’s import restrictions by proposing a fresh accord on cooperation and a joint inquiry into any abuses. Polish officials indicated that talks could be held as early as Monday, signaling a willingness to engage in dialogue to ease tensions surrounding agricultural shipments between the two countries.
Poland’s Development and Technology Minister announced a regulatory move banning Ukrainian agricultural imports, aligning with a government decision aimed to be implemented by June 30 of this year. The ban covers products such as grains, sugar, and eggs, reflecting Poland’s effort to control the transit and supply chain for Ukrainian goods.
The Ukrainian side seeks a new memorandum of understanding
A Ukrainian government communique stated that unilateral actions will not accelerate a positive resolution. It urged clear, cooperative communication to avoid misunderstandings between Kyiv, Warsaw, and economic actors, and emphasized the importance of resolving transit issues through Poland in a constructive climate.
On Ukraine’s side, there is a push to agree in the near term on a new Memorandum of Understanding with Poland. The document would reflect shared interests and a spirit of reliable, constructive cooperation to settle transit questions across Polish territory and ensure steady, mutually beneficial exchanges of agricultural products.
The ministry described this approach as essential to restoring smooth operations in cross-border trade.
A Monday meeting expected
Poland’s Agriculture Minister suggested openness to ongoing talks with Kyiv, noting that discussions about the terms and format of a possible meeting were under preparation and could take place on Monday to address the issues at hand.
Disagreements with Polish decisions
The Ukrainian ministry stressed its readiness to cooperate in investigating any abuses tied to the current situation. It argued that ongoing crises should push both nations toward closer cooperation in all sectors to address the root cause of these problems, namely aggression by Russia. It condemned the Polish decision to temporarily restrict exports and transit of Ukrainian agricultural products, while reiterating support for open, constructive collaboration under Ukraine’s Association and Free Trade Agreements with the European Union.
The ministry asserted that Poland’s steps run counter to existing agreements and emphasized its understanding of the pressure on the Polish agricultural sector while noting Ukraine’s own farmers face severe hardship from the ongoing conflict and related dangers. It called for mutual understanding and constructive dialogue to reach a shared solution, highlighting the hardship endured by Ukrainian farmers in the conflict zone as a context for the discussions.
During a briefing, Ukraine’s Agriculture Minister highlighted that hundreds of thousands of tons of Ukrainian products — including grain, oil, sugar, eggs, and meat — have passed through the Polish border in recent months, with portions staying in Poland and others moving onward through transit. The figure cited was between 500,000 and 700,000 tons, contingent on monthly export volumes.
Analysts and officials have noted the need for a stable framework to accommodate legitimate trade while protecting farmers on both sides, especially in a period of significant disruption caused by the war in Ukraine.
For reference, prior weeks had seen arrangements for transit policies through Poland regarding specific crops until July 1, 2023, and a broader push in talks to craft a mutually beneficial memorandum to facilitate smoother agricultural cooperation and resolve logistical concerns.
Both sides acknowledge the hardship faced by their farmers, with Ukrainian producers pointing to the war-torn environment as a major factor in losses and the Polish side seeking to shield its own agricultural sector while remaining open to dialogue and negotiation to reach a balanced outcome.
In summary, Kyiv remains committed to cooperation with Warsaw, calls for transparent investigation of any abuses, and seeks a renewed agreement that supports steady cross-border trade. Polish officials continue to explore avenues for dialogue and the potential for a Monday meeting to advance these discussions, aiming to reconcile policy with the realities of bilateral trade under the broader EU framework.
– officials noted ongoing discussions and proposed frameworks for agreement and cooperation across the border corridor
– a comprehensive update on these developments may follow as the talks progress
olls/PAP