This article was originally published in English
“We will not allow Ukrainian grain to flood us,” the country’s prime minister declared amid an intense election campaign
Poland’s prime minister said his government would not lift the embargo on Ukrainian wheat imports on Friday as expected because it would hurt Polish farmers.
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“Poland will not allow Ukrainian grain to flood us,” he said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawieckion the social platform X, (now the former Twitter).
“Regardless of Brussels’ decisions, we will not open our borders,” Morawiecki said in the midst of intense campaigning for parliamentary elections on October 15.
Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, in agreement with the European Union, imposed an embargo on Ukrainian agricultural products from April to September 15 to prevent the surplus produce from harming local farmers.
However, the transit of goods is allowed to help Ukrainian exports as Russia blocks its normal export routes.
Morawiecki posted his reflections on social media shortly before the Polish government discussed the issue.
The Commission and the European Parliament will discuss the situation on Tuesday. Polish parliamentarians will also take part in the debate, including Michal Kolodziejczak, an opposition candidate.
EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski (former Polish agriculture minister) said on Tuesday he was working on extending the embargo.
Polish parliamentary elections in October
The issue is particularly sensitive in Poland, where elections are taking place next month. The current right-wing government, led by the Law and Justice Party, is particularly strong in the country’s agricultural areas.
“I would like to assure all farmers that we will defend the interests of Polish farmers without a doubt,” Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said at the government meeting.
Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said Poland wanted to help Ukraine, “but at the same time we must not forget our fellow citizens.”
Poland supports Ukraine both militarily and through the reception of its refugees, but the national interest in the agricultural sector remains paramount.
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“We are ready to continue supporting Ukraine in war and reconstruction, but at the same time we must think about our citizens, our agriculture and our land,” said Law and Justice Chairman Jaroslaw Kaczynski.
“Our Ukrainian friends should understand this,” he added.
Kiev is ready to turn to the WTO
Ukraine has announced that it is ready to turn to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to demand compensation from Poland.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Chmygal accused Warsaw of “political populism” in light of parliamentary elections scheduled for mid-October and specified in a tweet that “Ukraine will be forced to apply for arbitration at the WTO.”