Volodymyr Zelensky welcomes the European Union's decision not to extend the ban on Ukrainian grain exports
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, on Friday evening welcomed the decision of the European Union not to further extend the ban on Ukrainian grain exports, calling it an example of true unity and trust, according to Reuters, quoted by Digi24.
While Poland, Slovakia and Hungary said on Friday that they would impose their own ban following the EU's decision to lift it, Zelenskiy said that if neighboring countries violate EU law, "Ukraine will respond in a civilized way."
"It is important now that the European unit also works on a bilateral level. For the neighbors to support Ukraine during the war. Europe always wins when the rules work and when the agreements are implemented," he said on the Telegram messaging app after talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
In May, the European Union allowed Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia to ban domestic sales of wheat, corn and sunflower seeds from Ukraine, while allowing those goods to transit for export elsewhere. This ban was due to expire on September 15.
The European Commission decided on Friday to lift the restrictions imposed on Ukrainian grain imports, valid in five countries, including Romania, but asked Kiev to develop a plan of effective measures to control transport.
Kiev has pledged to adopt within a month measures to "avoid surges" in grain volumes, for example through an export licensing system, according to AFP.
Ukraine will institute "effective measures" to control exports and to avoid destabilizing border countries. Kiev will have until Monday evening to submit an "action plan" to Brussels, which promises not to reimpose restrictions, "as long as the measures taken are fully effective."
