The conflict between Poland and Ukraine over the grain trade is spreading further. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs today summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to protest against President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statements at the UN General Assembly.
Zelensky suggested that some EU countries feigned solidarity with Ukraine but indirectly supported Russia. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pawel Jablonski made it clear to Ambassador Wassyl Swarych that this behavior, as well as complaints to international bodies, were not suitable for resolving disputes.
“Political theater” about grain imports
Zelensky had said that the “political theater” surrounding grain imports from Ukraine only benefited Russia. Ukraine has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against Poland, Hungary and Slovakia for banning food imports from Ukraine.
The three EU states declared that they had to protect their own economies and their local farmers. Agricultural products are one of Ukraine’s most important sources of income. Because of the war against Russia, Ukraine is trying to export more goods overland rather than through the contested Black Sea.
Bulgaria stops imports of sunflower seeds
EU country Bulgaria wants to temporarily stop importing sunflower seeds from Ukraine in order to support domestic producers. Following farmers’ protests, the pro-Western government and representatives of around two dozen agricultural associations signed a memorandum in Sofia.
Farmers thus declared the protests and blockades with agricultural machinery that began on Monday over. The protests were triggered by the lifting of restrictions on imports from Ukraine the previous week. According to the previously published memo, imports of sunflower seeds from Ukraine will be stopped until the 2022/23 national harvest is processed and the quantities still required by the industry are determined.