France joins opponents of Ukrainian agricultural products in the EU

France has sided with Poland on the issue of restricting imports of Ukrainian agricultural products, threatening to disrupt negotiations on the continuation of free trade between Ukraine and the EU.

Politico writes about this with reference to diplomatic sources.

It is noted that last week, French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk held talks in Berlin and issued a joint statement of support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. At the same time, the two leaders agreed on a common position on new restrictions on the supply of Ukrainian products to the EU, an issue that will be discussed at the summit of European leaders in Brussels today, March 19.

According to the newspaper’s sources, the restrictions insisted on by Paris and Warsaw will cost the Ukrainian economy €1.2 billion in lost revenue.

“This is a huge loss for a country that needs all the help it can get,” one of the unnamed European diplomats told the newspaper. “The same EU members that show the most support for Ukraine are also causing the most damage to the country.

Experts explain that the position of France and Poland is intended to calm down the protests of farmers who, among other things, oppose food supplies from Ukraine.

The European Commission has recently proposed to limit the supply of Ukrainian sugar, chicken and eggs to the EU, but to leave exports of other agricultural products unrestricted. However, according to Politico, Poland, and now France, insist on imposing limits on exports of Ukrainian cereals and honey to the EU, as well as taking into account 2021 exports when calculating restrictions on Ukrainian products.

Tags: France, Poland, restrictions, Ukraine, grain