The European Commission may take legal action against Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia, which continue to unilaterally restrict imports of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products despite Brussels’ decision to liberalize trade. This was reported by Politico, citing the statement of European Commission Deputy Spokesperson Olof Gill.
Source: Pryamyi
According to Gill, the bans imposed by the three countries violate the principles of the EU single market, which prohibit member states from independently introducing trade barriers. “We see no justification for maintaining these national measures,” he emphasized.
The European Commission representative confirmed that all options remain on the table, including legal proceedings. At the same time, Brussels acknowledges that the issue carries a strong political dimension: a lawsuit against Poland could strain relations with Donald Tusk’s government, while action against Hungary and Slovakia might spark debates about “double standards” within the EU.
Despite this, the governments of the three countries refuse to lift their restrictions. In Warsaw, officials stated that the government’s decision remains in effect; Hungarian Agriculture Minister István Nagy accused Brussels of “prioritizing Ukraine’s interests,” while his Slovak counterpart Richard Takáč called the new EU trade deal “insufficiently strong” to protect farmers.
It should be recalled that on October 13, the EU adopted an updated trade agreement with Ukraine to replace the temporary liberalization enacted in 2022. The document establishes stable conditions for Ukrainian exports while also including protective mechanisms for European farmers.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump supports the European Commission’s position, emphasizing that the joint Euro-American market must remain open to Ukrainian goods, as Kyiv’s economic resilience is a key component of the West’s overall security.