Ukraine Seeks €220 Million EU Subsidy for Farmers

The European Commission is consulting with Moldova and Romania on alternative export routes for Ukrainian grain. Ukraine has asked the European Union for a €220 million subsidy to support its farmers, citing difficulties in maintaining their operations amid Russian attacks and drought. The European Commission said on Thursday, citing the EFE news agency. “We have received a request from the Ukrainian authorities for a subsidy of approximately €220 million. Ukraine’s application detailed how these funds could be used,” said European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier. According to him, the European Commission is closely monitoring the situation in the Black Sea and the disruption of Ukrainian ports resulting from Russian attacks, as well as the impact of these attacks on Ukraine’s agriculture and economy as a whole. According to the European Commission, Brussels is in contact with Ukraine, Romania, and the Republic of Moldova to assess alternative routes for transporting agricultural products. According to other sources, Kyiv is proposing to allocate funds, in particular, to reduce interest rates on bank loans for farmers so that they can continue their operations. Regarding the preferential treatment granted to Ukrainian agricultural products in the EU – including the suspension of customs duties and requirements to comply with European standards, introduced as part of economic support for Ukraine during its war with Russia but criticized by European farmers – a European Commission spokesperson said that the EU-Ukraine free trade area “continues to provide a stable and reciprocal trade regime that offers predictability” to farmers on both sides.