EU reveals trade calms for Ukraine

The EU has trading advantages for the Ukraine Leave out with which the country attacked by Russia was supported for three years. At midnight Central European times, according to the EU Commission, transitional regulations have come into force, which should continue until negotiations on a new trade agreement have been completed.

The EU had released Ukrainian goods from tariffs around 100 days after the Russian war of attack on the neighboring country in 2022. This should strengthen the country’s economy. The measures were extended last year, but at the same time stricter requirements for certain food imports were introduced into the EU. Specifically, it was about poultry, eggs, sugar, oats, corn, coarse semolina and honey.

Peasants in the east of the EU protested

The support from customs exemption was a thorn in the side of many farmers, especially in the east of the EU. They complained of disproportionate competition from cheap agricultural imports from Ukraine. There were also voices from France that demanded stricter customs rules. According to information from EU diplomatic circles, national agricultural interests also played a role in the current debate on the expiry of trading relief.

Back to the regulation before Russia’s war of aggression

According to the EU Commission, customs contingents have again been valid for products from Ukraine of an agreement applied since 2016. By the end of 2025, seven twelfth of the annual quantities of this old trade agreement are available.

The Commission announced that it quickly worked towards a new agreement. The concerns of the concerns and a few EU member states are also concerned. Vehemente criticism comes from the European Parliament: The chairman of the Commercial Committee, Bernd Lange (SPD), described it as « unspeakably » that it was unable to find a solution before the trade releases had expired.