EU responds to Ukraine’s request for €220 mln in aid for farmers amid port blockade

The European Commission has responded to a letter from Ukraine’s Ministry of Agrarian Policy requesting €220 mln in non-repayable assistance for Ukrainian farmers affected by Russian attacks on Black Sea ports. Brussels said support would be provided through existing mechanisms.

European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert said this in response to a question from a European Pravda correspondent in Brussels.

The EU has effectively declined to provide an additional €220 mln in direct assistance to Ukrainian farmers, instead offering support through programs that are already in place.

“We can confirm that we have responded to the recent letter from Ukraine’s agriculture minister. In our response, we outlined areas of possible support for Ukraine’s agricultural sector using existing mechanisms,” Lammert said.

He noted that Ukraine already receives support for subsidizing interest rates on loans to farmers through the Ukraine Facility, meaning Ukrainian agricultural producers are already benefiting from assistance under the plan.

According to Lammert, the European Commission also supports lending programs through intermediaries for Ukrainian banks, which in turn provide financing to businesses, particularly farmers.

“These programs can provide assistance to farmers facing liquidity difficulties,” the spokesperson said.

Lammert added that the European Commission remains in close contact with Ukraine and the Ukrainian authorities on the issue, including to assess the situation in the Black Sea and the consequences of the maritime blockade caused by Russian attacks.

“The Commission is also in contact with Romania, Moldova and the Ukrainian authorities, including companies, to assess the situation regarding alternative transport routes through the Solidarity Lanes,” he added.

As previously reported by European Pravda, in early August Ukraine’s Ministry of Agrarian Policy asked the European Commission to consider allocating €220 mln in non-repayable support to compensate interest costs on loans for Ukrainian small and medium-sized agricultural producers.

Tags: EU, agricultural products, Ukraine, subsidies, export