Ukraine may ban imports of Polish vegetables and apples

In the coming days, in response to the actions of the Polish government, Ukraine may impose an embargo on Polish onions, tomatoes, cabbage and apples. This was stated by Taras Kachka, Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade of Ukraine, in an interview with Rzeczpospolita.

As the Ukrainian official explains, the purpose of the ban on imports of certain Polish goods is an attempt to convince Poland to take a step back and develop new solutions.

Kachka said that after many months of negotiations, Ukraine had lost hope of resolving the dispute, so Kyiv decided to take concrete steps.

“The main reason for us is to prove that Poland has no right to impose such measures,” he said.

The ban on imports of onions, tomatoes, cabbage and apples from Poland announced by the deputy minister is accompanied by a complaint that Ukraine has filed with the World Trade Organization (WTO).

According to him, the lawsuit is not directed specifically against Poland, but against the introduction of measures unacceptable to Ukraine and aims to convince Warsaw to cancel its resolutions. Kachka noted that Kyiv has “justified expectations” of the member states, which must respect the actions of the EU bodies.

Agriculture Minister Robert Telus commented on this information. He called the ban a “great tactlessness” on the part of Ukraine and was surprised by the move. He hopes that an embargo on vegetables will not be imposed.

“After Poland has helped Ukraine so much, helped the women and children who live here in Poland, this decision is surprising, it’s unbelievable,” Telus emphasized.

Tags: tomatoes, Ukraine, Poland, apples, vegetables, restrictions, onion, cabbage