EU Customs Dispute with Poland Delays Ukraine Trade Agreement

Published:

EU Customs Dispute with Poland Delays Ukraine Trade Agreement
Photo: Vadim Ghirda/AP/TT

War-torn Ukraine risks getting hit by a customs blow from the EU in a few weeks. The trade agreement signed with the country after the Russian attack in 2022 expires on June 5 – and Poland is slowing down the introduction of a new agreement.

We got no clear message about where they are heading, says Sweden's Minister for Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa (M) about the EU Commission's latest statement on the matter.

The matter was raised at a lunch meeting between the EU's trade ministers in Brussels on Thursday.

We are a coalition of countries – Sweden, Finland, and the Baltic states – that are really driving for a renewed agreement (between the EU and Ukraine) to be as broad as possible. It's the same countries that want to hit the Russian economy as hard as possible and want to simplify trade as much as possible for Ukraine, says Dousa.

It's extremely important for Ukraine's defense that they can trade with Europe, which is their most important counterpart, he adds.

The EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic assured at the meeting that there would be a "smooth transition period" for Ukraine if they fail to reach a new agreement. He said he had ongoing contact with Ukraine about the matter.

The opposition to a new agreement comes, according to Dousa, primarily from the EU's presiding country Poland.

It's no secret that for Poland this has been a sensitive issue. It's mainly about agricultural products.

According to Ukrainian media, revenue from agricultural products accounted for 59 percent of Ukraine's export last year. Half of this came from the EU.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Nelly Wins Case Against Shein but Must Pay Legal Costs

Nelly Wins Case Against Shein but Must Pay Legal Costs

Offline Card Purchases Coming by Summer 2026 in Sweden

Offline Card Purchases Coming by Summer 2026 in Sweden

Storm Amy Drives Electricity Prices to Zero in Southern Sweden

Storm Amy Drives Electricity Prices to Zero in Southern Sweden

Blue and yellow IKEA continues to grow in the US - buys a large property in central New York as part of its expansion

Blue and yellow IKEA continues to grow in the US - buys a large property in central New York as part of its expansion

Clas Ohlson Warehouse Staff Face Termination Over New Agreement

Clas Ohlson Warehouse Staff Face Termination Over New Agreement

Stockholm Leads Europe in Stock Market Growth with Verisure Listing

Stockholm Leads Europe in Stock Market Growth with Verisure Listing

Oskarshamn Nuclear Reactor Restart Delayed Again

Oskarshamn Nuclear Reactor Restart Delayed Again

Financial Supervisory Authority Warns of Growing Scam List

Financial Supervisory Authority Warns of Growing Scam List

Service Sector Shows Clear Recovery in September Index

Service Sector Shows Clear Recovery in September Index

Second-Highest Rent Increase in Over 20 Years Reported This Year

Second-Highest Rent Increase in Over 20 Years Reported This Year

Stockholm Stock Market Rises for Sixth Consecutive Day

Stockholm Stock Market Rises for Sixth Consecutive Day

International Flights Rise in Sweden This Year

International Flights Rise in Sweden This Year

Japanese Stock Market Rises as Technology Shares Surge

Japanese Stock Market Rises as Technology Shares Surge

Swedish Apartment Prices Drop Since 2021: Where They Fell Most

Swedish Apartment Prices Drop Since 2021: Where They Fell Most

Lyten Signs Collective Agreement After Northvolt Acquisition

Lyten Signs Collective Agreement After Northvolt Acquisition

Democrat Urges Trump to Release Job Figures Amid Government Shutdown

Democrat Urges Trump to Release Job Figures Amid Government Shutdown

Wall Street Hits New Record Levels Amid Tech Stock Gains

Wall Street Hits New Record Levels Amid Tech Stock Gains

Stegra to Purchase Iron Ore from Blacklisted Vale

Stegra to Purchase Iron Ore from Blacklisted Vale

Tesla Exceeds Q3 Delivery Expectations with 497,100 Cars

Tesla Exceeds Q3 Delivery Expectations with 497,100 Cars

US Urges Astra Zeneca to Move Headquarters to New York

US Urges Astra Zeneca to Move Headquarters to New York