“I don’t assume Ukrainian exports are destroying the EU farming sector,” Nivievskyi mentioned. “It’s the CAP that undermines competitiveness. What we’ve proper now in EU farming — I wouldn’t name it communism, however it’s undoubtedly central planning.”
Clean path to accession? Not so quick.
The timing of the dispute is essential. The EU’s momentary Autonomous Commerce Measures permitting Ukrainian items to enter the bloc duty-free expire in June, and the Fee faces a difficult balancing act: Tips on how to again Ukraine’s war-battered economic system with out inciting political backlash in jap member international locations already jittery over low-cost imports.
The state of affairs is additional difficult by shifting coverage in Washington, the place President Donald Trump has signaled a willingness to push for an finish to the conflict on phrases that might embrace Ukraine’s ceding territory to Russia. The U.S. stance has amplified issues in Kyiv about retaining strong entry to the EU market, with Ukraine officers warning that shedding commerce privileges would undermine the nation’s fragile financial restoration and damage its purpose of becoming a member of the EU.
Nivievskyi additionally fears the talk may harm Ukraine’s accession talks. “I hope the European Fee acts as a superb moderator on this course of as a result of it has to stability totally different voices from member states and convert them into coverage. But it surely’s clear that some governments will use commerce disputes as leverage.”
For now, Brussels appears undeterred.
European Commerce Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, visiting Kyiv this week, promised a “clean transition” as soon as the ATMs finish.
“We stay absolutely dedicated to swift implementation of mutual commerce liberalization,” he instructed the Interfax company.
“As , this can be a really delicate activity for us, given the sensitivity of sure merchandise to the markets of our member international locations and, after all, the issues of our farmers.”
This story has been up to date with actuality on Thursday’s protests.
