Zelenskyy threatens EU with arbitration if grain import restrictions extended

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Kyiv will apply to arbitration if the European Union extends restrictions on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products Kyiv.

He believes that Brussels is violating its promises, association agreements and free market conditions. Zelenskyy urged European institutions not to "multiply disappointment in Europe," Kommersant reported.

"Ukraine is categorically opposed to any further restrictions on our grain exports. .... If it is necessary to fight for Ukraine and the foundations of our common Europe in arbitration, we will fight in arbitration, even though we do not want to," Zelenskyy said in an address to the participants of the Three Seas Initiative summit.

The Ukrainian leader addressed separately to those countries that support the extension of the ban on grain imports. In his opinion, they are "scaling the devastation" from the conflict with Russia.

Addressing the European Union, Zelenskyy noted that the basis of Europe is "free competition and fulfilment of promises, among other things." And, according to the Ukrainian president, Kyiv, unlike Brussels, fulfils its promises.

In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Kyiv "calmly watches" as it becomes a source of "good earnings" for various European countries, which process agricultural products and earn money on logistics.

In May, the EU imposed a ban on imports of Ukrainian grain to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia to protect local farmers. The restrictions do not affect transit. The ban is valid until September 15. Poland intends to introduce restrictions at the national level if the EU does not extend the ban.