Volodymyr Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called any effort by the European Union to extend limitations on Ukrainian grain to safeguard local farmers who fear being undercut unacceptable.
“Any extension of restrictions is absolutely unacceptable and frankly anti-European. Europe has the institutional capacity to react more rationally than to close its borders to a particular good”, Zelensky said.
Zelensky expressed hope that Europe will fulfill its obligations after the existing grain limitations on Ukraine expire on September 15.
Last week, Ukraine’s European neighbors lobbied the EU to extend a grain import ban until the end of the year, fearing that diverted Ukrainian supply will harm neighboring farmers.
Brussels decided in June to enable Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania to limit grain imports from Ukraine until September.
Zelenksy’s statement came after Russia declined to renew a deal permitting the safe transit of grain from Ukrainian ports through the Black Sea, claiming Western sanctions were impeding its exports in breach of an accord mediated by the UN and Turkey.
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