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worth extending the grain embargo in five countries until the end of the year. Wojciechowski proposes that the EU finance, as part of its aid to Ukraine, grain transportation to ports from where it will be sent to Africa and Asia. The official added that Ukraine should export about four million tons of grain monthly. The EU can do this, but "it needs funds". "If the Black Sea were open, there would be no export pressure on Poland. In the blockade conditions, it is necessary to find alternative routes," Wojciechowski summarized.
Romania plans to ensure the transit of 60% of Ukrainian grain. As the Prime Minister of Romania, Marcel Čolaku, said, this goal is quite ambitious, but his country is ready to do everything necessary to achieve this result. "We hope that more than 60% of the total volume of Ukraine's grain exports will transit through Romania," he said during a meeting with Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmygal in Bucharest. At the same time, the country's government will ensure that Ukrainian agricultural products do not harm Romanian farmers and producers. The Ukrainian Grain Association stated that the gross harvest of grain and oil crops in Ukraine this year will amount to 76.8 million tons, and exports in the new season will reach about 48 million tons. If so, Romania would ensure the transit of up to 29 million tons of grain. For comparison: Ukraine exported more than 33 million tons of products through the grain corridor from August 1, 2022, to July 17, 2023. Shmyhal added that to increase Ukrainian exports, Ukraine will develop border infrastructure with Romania and contribute to the development of the Danube port cluster.
Poland risks falling under EU sanctions due to its embargo on Ukrainian agricultural products. If Poland unilaterally extends restrictions on grain imports from Ukraine after September 15, the EU will consider imposing sanctions against the country. The European Commission believes that Poland's continuation of the Ukrainian grain embargo violates European legislation. This may lead to the imposition of fines on Poland. According to RMF FM, there are fears in Warsaw about trade countermeasures that individual EU countries may introduce. This primarily concerns Germany, but in general, up to 20 countries oppose the continuation of the embargo. Poland also admits that other Eastern European states may refuse to support the embargo after September 15. As noted by RMF FM, Romania will most likely not go against the European Commission's decision. Still, other states may decide– similarly, including Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.
The President of Poland believes he must protect the EU market from Ukrainian grain. Protection of the domestic market and the EU market is the duty of the Polish authorities, Andrzej Duda said. "We consistently support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. But the second thing, and our most important duty, is to stand guard over the interests of our country." Duda also added that Poland understands that Ukraine is in a difficult situation, but Ukraine must also understand that the Polish government has obligations to its society. In April, Poland was the first country in Eastern Europe to ban food imports from Ukraine, despite the EU's decision to provide free access to Ukrainian products during the war. In May 2023, the European Commission banned the import of Ukrainian wheat, corn, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds to Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria. The ban is valid until September 15. However, Poland insists on an extension at least until the end of 2023.
Ukraine, US, EU, Romania, Moldova convene to discuss Ukrainian grain exports. Representatives of Ukraine, the US, the EU, Romania, and Moldova held a meeting in Galati, Romania on August 11 to discuss Ukrainian grain exports following Russia's unilateral termination of the grain deal.
Arms should become Ukraine's main export product, according to Oleksandr Kamyshin, Minister of Strategic Industries. Reporting on the first 100 days of work as the head of the Ministry, he emphasized that the priority
34 UKRAINE Country Report September 2023 www.intellinews.com