Ukraine welcomes EU’s “unprecedented” measures

According to the news agency ReutersThese measures will apply in particular to fruits and vegetables, subject to minimum price requirements, agricultural products facing quotas, and certain industrial goods.

Tariffs on these products will be phased out before the end of 2022. The gradual removal of tariffs (which is set out in the EU free trade agreement – Ukraine 2016) applies to fertilizers, aluminum products and automobiles.

The European Union (EU) will also exempt Ukraine from measures aimed at restricting steel imports and removing anti-dumping duties that the EU is imposing on Ukraine’s steel pipes and hot-rolled coil products.

Ukraine’s producers and exporters are struggling in a conflict with Russia. PHOTO: Reuters

The tax exemption and EU market access limit for Ukraine will need to receive approval from the European Parliament (EP) and EU member states’ governments before it can take effect.

EC Vice President and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis said that these measures will directly support Ukrainian producers and exporters, adding confidence in the Ukrainian economy.

The European Commission, which oversees the trade policy of 27 EU countries, said the unprecedented measures were introduced to ease difficulties for Ukrainian producers and exporters amid the crisis. Russia launched a military operation in this country.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed the EU’s suspension of import duties. Photo: Reuters

On the Ukrainian side, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he discussed this proposal with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on April 27 and expressed gratitude.

“This will allow us to maintain economic activity in Ukraine to the maximum extent and ensure production. Ukrainian exports will help stabilize the market,” said President Zelenskiy.

According to the President of Ukraine, all Europeans will benefit from this decision.

Zelenskiy added that the EU’s plan to suspend import duties on Ukrainian goods is also an anti-crisis tool for European and global markets.

Regarding the military situation, the fighting in eastern Ukraine seems to be entering an important phase, as Russia strengthens more combat units. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces struggled to hold their ground after weeks of shelling and rockets, their only supply lines coming from the west.

Ukraine’s military said on April 27 that Russia deployed two more tactical battalions of the 76th Airborne Division from the Russian city of Belgorod to the Izium region inside Ukraine.

The Russian side claims to guarantee the safety of all Luhansk and Donetsk regions. In the Donetsk region, Russia’s focus is on two important towns: Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.