KYIV (Reuters) – Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Thursday condemned a decision by Poland to extend a ban on Ukrainian grain exports to the European Union as an “unfriendly and populist move”.
“During this critical time, Poland intends to continue blocking the export of UA (Ukrainian) grain to the EU. This is an unfriendly and populist move that will severely impact global food security and Ukraine’s economy,” he wrote on Twitter.
Five central European countries want a European Union ban on grain imports from Ukraine to be extended at least until the end of the year. The ban is set to expire on Sept. 15.
Poland will not lift the ban on Sept. 15 even if the EU does not agree on its extension, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Wednesday.
Shmyhal urged Ukraine’s partners and the executive European Commission to ensure the unimpeded export of all Ukrainian agriculture products to the EU.
“This is an act of solidarity not only with Ukraine but with the world, which relies on our grain,” he said.
Maintaining the exports is important for Ukraine, especially after Russia quit a deal allowing safe shipments of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea.
Agricultural exports are crucial for Ukraine’s economy, making up about 12% of gross domestic product before Russia’s invasion in February 2022 and about 60% of all exports.
(Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka and Kyiv newsroom, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
