Ukraine is prosecuting several European Union member states on its borders over their imposition of a ban on tax-free Ukrainian grain.
Ukraine has taken legal action against three of its European Union neighbors, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary, by filing lawsuits at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over their bans on Ukrainian grain imports.
The Central European countries defied a recent decision by the European Commission to lift the import ban, sparking a diplomatic dispute with Ukraine, particularly Poland, which has been a staunch ally of Kiev’s against Russia.
Poland warned that in case the bloc refuses to extend the ban, it would implement it unilaterally.
Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stressed the necessity of demonstrating that individual member states should not have the authority to unilaterally prohibit the import of Ukrainian goods.
“It is crucially important for us to prove that individual member states cannot ban imports of Ukrainian goods. That is why we are filing lawsuits against them,” Svyrydenko said, hoping that the countries who imposed the ban would reconsider their restrictions on Ukrainian grain, which would allow both sides to avoid prolonged legal battles.
Kiev also underlined that Ukrainian exporters have been suffering significant losses due to the bans put in place by the EU states.
Ukraine’s search for new ways to export grain comes after Russia did not renew its participation in the Black Sea grain deal, which was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, and would allow for the delivery of grain to foreign states without any issues.
Source: Almayadeen
