The European Commission has approved a proposal to introduce customs duties on a number of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, as well as on certain types of nitrogen fertilizers. This proposal was initiated by the Chairman of the Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC), Andrii Dykun, and was included in the Declaration signed at the meeting of the parliamentary delegations of Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland in Warsaw in June 2024.

According to the Chairman of the UAC, the imposition of sanctions against Russia and Belarus will significantly weaken the aggressor country's influence on global food security and affect Russia's ability to wage an aggressive war against Ukraine.

‘Russia continues to use food security as a political tool and makes the EU vulnerable to potential coercive actions by Russia. When the EU finally imposes full sanctions on Russia's agricultural sector, starting with food and fertilizers and ending with a complete prohibition on Russian farmers' access to advanced technologies and equipment, this country will be on the verge of starvation, and Ukraine will have the opportunity to strengthen its position on the battlefield. This is my main point of view at every international meeting, so the news about the support of the UAC’s proposal is the first important step towards a common victory over the enemy and a signal of the EU's readiness to face any challenges to speed up peace,’ said Andrii Dykun.

According to the European Commission, the agricultural products subject to the new tariffs account for 15% of agricultural imports from Russia in 2023, which have not yet been subject to the increased tariffs. Once the proposal is adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, all agricultural imports from Russia will be subject to EU tariffs.

In this way, the EU will support the development of domestic production and the EU fertilizer industry, which suffered during the energy crisis. It will also diversify supplies from third countries and help ensure a stable supply of fertilizers, ensuring that they remain affordable for EU farmers.

The Ukrainian Agri Council expresses its gratitude to the European Commission for approving the proposal, which will contribute to strengthening the economies of Ukraine and the EU. The UAC will continue to actively engage in productive dialogues between the countries, providing expert support and directing joint efforts to bring peace and justice.