Source: Oleoscope (Russia)
The European Commission does not intend to continue trade with Ukraine on the current terms after June 5. It is about the abolition of duties on agricultural products, which the EU introduced in 2022. RMF FM writes about this.
European Commissioner for Agriculture Christoph Hansen announced a new agreement within the framework of the trade memorandum (DCFTA, Ukrainian DCFTA – Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area), which is part of the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine of 2016. The publication notes that it is about setting quotas for sensitive agricultural products from Ukraine and new provisions on the protection of the European market. We are talking about quotas on imports of wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds. The agreement will also mean Ukraine will have to adapt to EU standards on food safety and animal welfare.
“I think Ukraine’s support measures will be reduced this time,” the agency’s interlocutor at the European Commission said. Quotas for Ukrainian agricultural products will be lower than now, he assured.
The EU agriculture ministers have already given initial instructions on how to act within the framework of the association agreement, but the ministers responsible for trade have not yet voiced their positions. The agency’s interlocutors at the EC note that negotiations on the agreement are “very sensitive” because of the fact that the case will be closely watched by EU farmers and because Ukraine wants better terms of trade.”
Earlier, US federal government agency USAD said it was suspending funding for all projects in Ukraine for 90 days due to an audit of projects in the country. USAD funding amounted to more than $37.6bn, $30bn of which was allocated in the form of direct budget support.