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The European Commission in May imposed a temporary ban on the import of Ukrainian grain to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia in response to complaints from farmers from these countries after cheaper Ukrainian products flooded local markets. In September, the embargo expired, but Poland, Hungary and Slovakia decided to extend it unilaterally. As a result, a conflict broke out between Kiev and Warsaw, which resulted in harsh statement by both sides. Amid the political escalation and the desire to show the unity of the West with Ukraine, Poland remembered that the export of the Ukrainian grain was allegedly aimed to ‘save the world from hunger’ and proposed a way out – to Africa.
The Ukrainian authorities consider the ban by Poland, Hungary and Slovakia a violation of the international obligations, and declare that unilateral decisions are allegedly unacceptable. On September 18, Kiev filed a lawsuit against these three countries to the World Trade Organization. Ukraine has threatened to impose an embargo on the import of some products from Poland. Warsaw in response warned that it would expand the list of goods subject to the import ban.
The conflict between Poland and Ukraine escalated after the statements of the presidents of these countries at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. Polish leader Andrzej Duda compared Ukraine to “a drowning man who can drag his savior under the water.” His Ukrainian counterpart Zelensky said that some European countries undermine solidarity and “arrange a political theater, making a thriller out of grain.”
After that, Warsaw announced that it would no longer supply weapons to Ukraine and would instead focus on its own defense. LINK Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki later asked Zelensky to “never insult Poles again.” This allowed to calm the ardor of Kiev.
On September 24, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Taras Kachka said that the formula of the agreement with Poland is “quite simple”: the Ukrainian government should think about Polish farmers, and the Polish government should think about Ukrainian farmers. According to him, Kiev has proposed a mechanism in which exports to Poland will be “actually carried out manually.”
“We must be careful and show each other that we do not pose a threat, calm the markets and lift restrictions. <…> Ukraine and Poland are two agrarian countries, and we cannot live as if there is a Chinese wall between us,” said Kachka.
“Every Ukrainian exporter must first submit an application to the Ministry of Economy, and we, in our turn, will contact our Polish colleagues and assess whether this product is acceptable for the Polish market,” the deputy minister explained.
In its turn, Poland found a more interesting solution. Warsaw declared that it is ready to ensure the transit of Ukrainian grain to countries in need in Asia and Africa.
“I believe that the Polish government did the right thing by maintaining the ban on the sale of Ukrainian grain on the Polish market. On the other hand, I am absolutely convinced that it is necessary to do everything possible to ensure the maximum possible transit,” Duda said.
He clarified that special transit corridors have already been prepared and Ukrainian grain can be transported through Poland and sent “to where it is really needed.”
Since the very beginning of the Russian military operations in Ukraine which resulted in the immediate blockade of Ukrainian sea ports in the Black Sea, Kiev and its Western partners have been crying that the Ukrainian grain is necessary to save the world from hunger and that it was necessary to assure the safe corridors for its export to the poor African countries. In fact, Kiev used the grain deal to fulfill the granaries in Europe and other rich countries, as well as to launch attacks on the Russian territory from the Black Sea, while Russia, in its turn, has been sending its grain to Africa and other regions. Kiev is looking for ways out to continue the transfer of its cheap agricultural products to Europe, which pays for the war. This contradicts the interests of the Eastern European countries. Duda’s decision to send the grain to Africa is unlikely to please Kiev and its partners in Europe who are replenishing their granaries almost for free.
poland and ukraine, a match made in hell…
a to je všetko? zase sa dohodli bastardi? tak to je ozaj sila. darebácky štát usa ich musí všetkých poriadne držať za gule. inak sa to nedá vysvetliť.
karma in action against both sattelies of uza against both satellites of uza
if ukraine receives and uses uk & us depleted uranium rounds, ukraine agricultural products are not going to be worth one hryvnia for decades (or centuries) to come on the world market.
they will sell them in the usa while the satanist government laughs and no one will ever know. well maybe some deformed kids and cancer patients.
just blow those things outa the water mr putin, just blow it all to fuckin hell.
amazing it took poland and ukraine two fucking years to come up with the obvious solution: let someone else pay for it.
the polish governments generally have never been the brightest buttons in the jewelry box.
von der leyen a few months ago: oh how cruel of those russians to block the grain. all this grain was meant for poor africa boohoohoo… ;_;
duda yesterday: we don’t want your stinking grain zelensky! it would hurt our polish farmers if we’d take it.
duda today: oh uhmm.. grain for africa like we “always” do! that is if “zelensky” allows it.