FT: New Polish PM Tusk opposes extension of preferential trade regime with Ukraine
Poland's position will not affect the outcome of the European Commission's vote
The European Commission is expected to propose on Tuesday to extend until June 2025 the suspension of tariffs and quotas on imports of Ukrainian goods to help keep Ukraine's economy afloat as it continues to confront Russian aggression.
However, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk maintains the position of the previous government and intends to oppose this, the Financial Times writes.
At the same time, Poland's position will not affect the outcome of the European Commission's vote, as the decision is made by a majority vote.
The Polish prime minister is trying to find a difficult balance between his pro-European position and the interests of Polish farmers and carriers who want to maintain the import ban and have been blocking the country's border crossings with Ukraine since November to force the government to fulfill their demands.
Tusk will reportedly visit Kyiv in the coming days in an attempt to ease tensions caused by the border blockade and reach a compromise on the ban on Ukrainian grain imports that the previous government imposed last spring.
Tusk called on Ukraine to help defuse tensions with Polish farmers and truck drivers, rather than demanding that Poland lift the ban.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Poland Michal Kolodziejczak said that the government does not agree to the EU's restoration of preferential trade conditions for Ukraine, as it poses a "threat" to Polish farmers.
"The interests of Polish farmers, our food security and profitable production are a priority," Kolodziejczak said.
According to officials, Tusk is seeking an agreement with Ukraine on an export licensing system similar to those agreed with Romania and Bulgaria, which restricted the flow of Ukrainian agricultural products to their countries.
Background. Just before the New Year, Tusk said that the Polish government was on the verge of unblocking the Ukrainian border. "I don't think we will reach the maximum that truckers want, but something will allow us to remove emotions and blockades on the border," he said.
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