Poland and Slovakia are in favor of extending the ban on imports of Ukrainian grain until the end of the year, dismissing concerns about possible food supply disruptions following Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal. According to Bloomberg, Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Telus expressed his position on the extension of the ban, believing that there are no objective arguments for its end by mid-September.

Ukraine called on the European Union to lift the grain restrictions, believing that such measures help Russia to increase pressure on the country's economy. However, after Russia's announcement of withdrawal from the grain deal, the situation may become more confusing, as it could worsen grain supplies from Ukrainian Black Sea ports.

Earlier, the European Commission outlined plans to gradually lift temporary restrictions on grain from Eastern European countries. Also, after Russia's decision on the Black Sea Initiative, the EU promised to "make every effort" to maintain stable supplies of agricultural products from Ukraine to world markets in order to ensure solidarity.

However, Slovak Agriculture Minister Josef Biresh expressed some reservations about further imports of Ukrainian grain. Representatives of five EU countries, including Poland and Slovakia, will meet in Warsaw on July 19 to prepare a statement for the European Commission on the continuation of the ban on imports of Ukrainian food, as well as the possibility of extending this ban to other goods.

Bires emphasized that while he strongly supports Ukraine, food imports cannot distort the domestic market, as the harvest is currently underway and some warehouses are already full due to previous grain imports.

At the same time, Bires recently added that the European Commission is unlikely to support an extension of the ban on Ukrainian grain imports. This is indicative of the deliberations and complexity of the situation faced by the EU as it seeks a balance between assisting Ukraine and securing its own agricultural infrastructure.

Poland and Slovakia are in favor of extending the ban on Ukrainian grain imports until the end of the year, dismissing fears of possible food supply disruptions after Russia withdraws from the grain deal. According to Bloomberg, Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Telus expressed his position on the extension of the ban, believing that there are no objective arguments for its end by mid-September.

Ukraine called on the European Union to lift the grain restrictions, believing that such measures help Russia to increase pressure on the country's economy. However, after Russia's announcement of withdrawal from the grain deal, the situation may become more confusing, as it could worsen grain supplies from Ukrainian Black Sea ports.

Earlier, the European Commission outlined plans to gradually lift temporary restrictions on grain from Eastern European countries. Also, after Russia's decision on the Black Sea Initiative, the EU promised to "make every effort" to maintain stable supplies of agricultural products from Ukraine to world markets in order to ensure solidarity.

However, Slovak Agriculture Minister Josef Biresh expressed some reservations about further imports of Ukrainian grain. Representatives of five EU countries, including Poland and Slovakia, will meet in Warsaw on July 19 to prepare a statement for the European Commission on the continuation of the ban on imports of Ukrainian food, as well as the possibility of extending this ban to other goods.

Bires emphasized that while he strongly supports Ukraine, food imports cannot distort the domestic market, as the harvest is currently underway and some warehouses are already full due to previous grain imports.

At the same time, Bires recently added that the European Commission is unlikely to support an extension of the ban on Ukrainian grain imports. This is indicative of the deliberations and complexity of the situation faced by the EU as it seeks a balance between assisting Ukraine and providing for its own agricultural infrastructure.