The Ukrainian Government is calling on its Polish counterparts to lift the ban on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products and on the EU to create a compensation mechanism for Ukrainian farmers affected by export restrictions. This was stated by Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, on her Twitter account.

“We call on Polish colleagues to remember the principle of partnership. Blocking Ukrainian grain at the EU border is unacceptable. russian aggression makes a real threat to our farmers – destruction of ports and grain silos, blockade of the Black Sea make work hard and dangerous,” Yuliia Svyrydenko wrote.

She stressed that Polish officials stated they were “not acting against Ukrainians” but “for Polish farmers”. According to Yuliia Svyrydenko, first of all, the borders should be open for Ukrainian farmers. After all, russia is now trying to undermine the Ukrainian agricultural sector in order to weaken our defence capabilities. Therefore, an open border and free trade for Ukrainian agricultural products means security for the entire EU, including Polish farmers.

“The partnership between Ukraine and Poland should not be selective. Safety should be the top priority,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

The First Deputy Prime Minister added that the Government of Ukraine called on the EU to create a compensation mechanism for Ukrainian farmers affected by export restrictions.