The European Commission declined to rule out initiating legal proceedings against the three countries that continue to impose unilateral import bans on Ukrainian goods.
Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia are actively resisting attempts to renew trade relations as a revised EU agreement with Kyiv takes effect. The bans on Ukrainian grain and other agricultural goods violate EU single market regulations, which forbid individual member states from imposing trade restrictions.
The defiance highlights the growing political tension in the EU’s trade relationship with Ukraine, as member states are effectively challenging Brussels to choose Kyiv over its own members.
“We see no justification for maintaining these national measures,” said Commission Deputy Spokesperson Olof Gill on Thursday, following the implementation of a new EU trade deal aimed at easing member states’ concerns over the influx of Ukrainian imports.
According to Politico, since the bans were introduced in 2023, Brussels has hesitated to take action, hoping the revised trade deal would render them unnecessary. Officials familiar with the discussions note that political considerations are also influencing decisions. Suing Poland could strain relations with Donald Tusk’s pro-EU government, while targeting Hungary and Slovakia might appear inconsistent.
Earlier this week, Poland’s agriculture ministry told Politico that the country’s import restrictions do not automatically lift under the new EU agreement and will remain in effect.
Similarly, Hungary’s Agriculture Minister István Nagy confirmed that Budapest will uphold its national protective measures while criticizing Brussels for ‘prioritizing Ukrainian interests.’
Slovakia’s Agriculture Minister Richard Takáč also criticized the deal’s safeguards as insufficient to shield domestic producers, indicating that Bratislava is likely to maintain its own restrictions.
The revised agreement, ratified by EU member states on October 13, replaces the temporary trade liberalization measures enacted following Russia’s 2022 invasion. It establishes a more stable structure for Ukrainian exports and incorporates protective measures for European farmers.
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