EU considers legal action against three countries blocking Ukrainian grain imports

The European Commission does not rule out the possibility of a lawsuit against Poland, Hungary and Slovakia over their refusal to lift the ban on imports of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products. About writes Politico.

It is noted that the restrictions of these countries violate the rules of the EU single market, which prohibit national trade barriers.

"We see no justification for supporting these national measures"olaf Hill, Deputy Spokesperson of the European Commission, said.

According to him, Brussels is strengthening contacts with the governments of the three countries, and all options for further action "remain on the table."

Despite the updated agreement, which was supposed to address the concerns of EU farmers, Warsaw, Budapest, and Bratislava continue to block Ukrainian imports.

Hungarian Agriculture Minister István Nagy said that Brussels was putting Ukraine's interests ahead of those of European farmers. His words were echoed by his Slovakian counterpart, Richard Takacs, who called the new protective mechanisms "insufficient."

The Polish Ministry of Agriculture also said that government restrictions "are not automatically lifted" with the adoption of the new agreement and remain in force.

• Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union has completely abolished duties on Ukrainian goods. Duration of the duty exemption expired on June 6, 2025 since then, quotas have been in effect at 7/12 of the annual pre-war volumes.
• From October 29 amendments to the tariff schedules came into force in mutual trade between Ukraine and the EU.
• On October 30, it became known that Poland upheld the ban on imports of Ukrainian grain despite the new agreement with the EU.