Brussels keeps Ukrainian steel flowing into EU amid impacts of Russian war

The European Union (EU) has extended the suspension of safeguard measures on iron and steel imports from Ukraine, in a move aimed at supporting the country's embattled economy amid Russia’s ongoing war of aggression.

The Council of the EU adopted the regulation on June 5, allowing Ukrainian iron and steel producers to continue exporting to the bloc without facing the protective tariffs that have applied to other countries since 2018, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Council's website.

The exemption will take effect on June 6 and remain in place for three years.

The EU’s safeguard measures were originally introduced to protect European industries from global overcapacity. However, in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has been exempted from these restrictions as part of a broader package of economic support.

According to the Council, the decision reflects the severe challenges faced by Ukrainian exporters, particularly in the iron and steel sector, where numerous production facilities have been damaged, occupied, or destroyed by Russian forces.

Despite the exemption, the European Commission retains the authority to intervene. Under the new regulation, it may temporarily reimpose safeguard measures for specific products — for up to 12 months — if Ukrainian imports surge to levels that pose a serious threat to EU producers of similar or competing goods.

Since 2018, the EU has maintained safeguard measures on certain iron and steel imports to protect its domestic industry. Ukraine was granted an exemption following Russia's unprovoked invasion in 2022. The continuation of this exemption reflects both the exceptional circumstances facing Ukraine and the EU’s strategic interest in supporting its recovery and integration into the European market.

By Khagan Isayev