Poland on Tuesday (Sep&nbsp;12) called on the European Union to extend the embargo on imports of Ukrainian grain ahead of the deadline by the end of this week and said that it would continue to block domestic imports even if Brussels lifts the ban. In response, Kyiv has warned that it would seek international arbitration over the restrictions.&nbsp;

The restrictions in question were imposed by the EU back in May, which allowed member nations, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia to ban domestic sales of Ukrainian grains like wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seeds.&nbsp;

The ban, which was designed to ease excess supply and is set to expire Friday (Sep 15), did not affect the transit of Ukrainian grain for export elsewhere.

<h2>Why has Poland sought the extension?</h2>

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he has requested that the European Commission extend its ban on Ukrainian grain or else “we will do it ourselves because we cannot allow for a deregulation of the market.”&nbsp;

Morawiecki, who was addressing the farmers in Kosow Lacki in Poland’s farming east region, said that the October 15 elections will be key for the future of the country’s agriculture.&nbsp;

This comes as the ruling conservative Law and Justice party has sought to attract farmer voters for its campaign and said that the cheaper Ukrainian grain makes domestic production unprofitable.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/grain-prices-rise-with-russian-strikes-on-danube-port-putin-reaffirms-stance-on-deal-621706">Russia reaffirms stance on grain deal, continues strikes on key Ukrainian ports</a>

The Polish government has also faced pressure from domestic farmers to stand firm ahead of next month’s parliamentary election.

“We will not open the borders to Ukrainian grain! Embargo stays,” Morawiecki said on X, formerly known as Twitter.&nbsp;

But it is not just Warsaw that wants the ban extended, as the five central European countries have sought the extension of the ban on Ukrainian grain until the end of the year, said the Polish agriculture minister Robert Telus, last month.&nbsp;

He also said that the five countries’ agriculture ministers have also supported the call for an extension of the ban while supporting grain transit subsidies.&nbsp;

<h2>How has Ukraine responded?</h2>

After the Polish PM’s remarks his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal, took to X and said “We have no intention of harming Polish farmers. We greatly appreciate the support of the Polish people and Polish families!”

He added, “But in case of violation of trade law in the interest of political populism before the elections, Ukraine will be forced to turn to WTO (World Trade Organization) arbitration…”&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-import-bans-mount-ukraine-seeks-re-opening-of-grain-transit-via-poland-583341">As import bans mount Ukraine seeks re-opening of grain transit via Poland</a>

Poland’s remarks also come at a crucial time when maintaining the grain exports is important for Ukraine considering Russia backed out of the agreement which provided a safe passage for Kyiv’s grains to be exported via the Black Sea route.&nbsp;

However, the Ukrainian government has said that it would be able to export around 50 million metric tons of agricultural goods in the 2023/24 July-June season, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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Poland on Tuesday (Sep 12) called on the European Union to extend the embargo on imports of Ukrainian grain ahead of the deadline by the end of this week and said that it would continue to block domestic imports even if Brussels lifts the ban.

Poland on Tuesday (Sep 12) called on the European Union to extend the embargo on imports of Ukrainian grain ahead of the deadline by the end of this week and said that it would continue to block domestic imports even if Brussels lifts the ban. In response, Kyiv has warned that it would seek international arbitration over the restrictions. The restrictions in question were imposed by the EU back in May, which allowed member nations, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia to ban domestic sales of Ukrainian grains like wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seeds. The ban, which was designed to ease excess supply and is set to expire Friday (Sep 15), did not affect the transit of Ukrainian grain for export elsewhere. Why has Poland sought the extension? Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he has requested that the European Commission extend its ban on Ukrainian grain or else “we will do it ourselves because we cannot allow for a deregulation of the market.” Morawiecki, who was addressing the farmers in Kosow Lacki in Poland’s farming east region, said that the October 15 elections will be key for the future of the country’s agriculture. This comes as the ruling conservative Law and Justice party has sought to attract farmer voters for its campaign and said that the cheaper Ukrainian grain makes domestic production unprofitable. ALSO READ | Russia reaffirms stance on grain deal, continues strikes on key Ukrainian ports The Polish government has also faced pressure from domestic farmers to stand firm ahead of next month’s parliamentary election. “We will not open the borders to Ukrainian grain! Embargo stays,” Morawiecki said on X, formerly known as Twitter. But it is not just Warsaw that wants the ban extended, as the five central European countries have sought the extension of the ban on Ukrainian grain until the end of the year, said the Polish agriculture minister Robert Telus, last month. He also said that the five countries’ agriculture ministers have also supported the call for an extension of the ban while supporting grain transit subsidies. How has Ukraine responded? After the Polish PM’s remarks his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal, took to X and said “We have no intention of harming Polish farmers. We greatly appreciate the support of the Polish people and Polish families!” He added, “But in case of violation of trade law in the interest of political populism before the elections, Ukraine will be forced to turn to WTO (World Trade Organization) arbitration…” ALSO READ | As import bans mount Ukraine seeks re-opening of grain transit via Poland Poland’s remarks also come at a crucial time when maintaining the grain exports is important for Ukraine considering Russia backed out of the agreement which provided a safe passage for Kyiv’s grains to be exported via the Black Sea route. However, the Ukrainian government has said that it would be able to export around 50 million metric tons of agricultural goods in the 2023/24 July-June season, reported Reuters. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Poland asks EU to extend embargo on Ukraine grain; Kyiv may take legal action over restrictions

The U.N. has proposed that Kyiv, Moscow and Ankara start preparatory work for the transit of Russian ammonia through Ukraine as it tries to salvage a deal allowing safe Black Sea grain exports, a source close to the talks said on Wednesday.

As the preparatory work starts, the U.N. wants parallel talks to be held on widening the Black Sea deal that was agreed last July to include more Ukrainian ports and other cargoes, said the source, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Russia agreed this month to a two-month extension of the deal but has said the initiative will cease unless an agreement aimed at overcoming obstacles to Russian grain and fertiliser exports is fulfilled.

Ukraine and Turkey have agreed to the new proposal, intended to improve operations in the Black Sea grain export corridor, but Russia has not yet responded, the source said.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-announces-new-300-million-package-for-ukraine-but-opposes-strike-inside-russia-598956">US announces new $300 million package for Ukraine, but opposes strikes inside Russia</a>

U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, asked about the Reuters report at a daily press briefing, said conversations were continuing.

"As you recall, the Secretary General had put forward some ideas to the parties to improve the facilitation of the work of the Joint Coordination Centre, to also work on the issue of ammonia export, which is part of the deal that was signed. Those conversations and contacts are continuing. But that's as much as I'll say right now," Dujarric said.

The U.N. and Turkey brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative between Moscow and Kyiv last July to help tackle a global food crisis aggravated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a leading global grain exporter.

<h2>Appeal to&nbsp;improve grain corridor</h2>

The U.N. has handed "an official appeal to the leaders of Ukraine, Turkey and Russia with a proposal for a specific mutually beneficial algorithm to radically improve" the work of the grain corridor, the source told Reuters.

"Ukraine and Turkey have confirmed their readiness to work on the algorithm proposed by the Secretary General. At the same time, as of May 30, Russia has not given its consent, despite the presence of favourable positions in the algorithm."

Ukrainian officials have said that since mid-April, Russia has "unreasonably restricted" the work of the Black Sea grain deal.

Russia has denied this and urged all parties to unblock the transit of ammonia via the Ukrainian port of Pivdennyi, near the Black Sea port of Odesa, which was halted after Russia's invasion in February last year.

WATCH |&nbsp;Battleground Bakhmut: Russia vs Ukraine | WION Wideangle

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his nightly video address, accused Russia of blocking all activity at Pivdennyi, with 1.5 million tonnes of agricultural products unable to move. Other countries, he said, should take note.

"All maritime countries can now see what can threaten their ports, their coastlines if Russia gets away with blocking navigation in the Black Sea," Zelenskiy said.

"In other words, the blockade of one port in Ukraine poses extremely serious risks for different nations, particularly those with relations that Russia tries to use for speculative purposes."

Ukrainian authorities have said workers would need about 30 days to prepare the pipeline to pump ammonia again.

Ukraine's deputy renovation minister said on Tuesday that Kyiv was seeking guarantees from Moscow and the U.N. that the grain deal will work normally if Ukraine allows Russia to export ammonia via the pipeline.

A senior government source told Reuters this month that Kyiv would consider allowing Russian ammonia to transit its territory for export on condition that the Black Sea grain deal is expanded to include more Ukrainian ports and a wider range of commodities.

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The U.N. has proposed that Kyiv, Moscow and Ankara start preparatory work for the transit of Russian ammonia through Ukraine as it tries to salvage a deal allowing safe Black Sea grain exports, a source close to the talks said on Wednesday.

The U.N. has proposed that Kyiv, Moscow and Ankara start preparatory work for the transit of Russian ammonia through Ukraine as it tries to salvage a deal allowing safe Black Sea grain exports, a source close to the talks said on Wednesday. As the preparatory work starts, the U.N. wants parallel talks to be held on widening the Black Sea deal that was agreed last July to include more Ukrainian ports and other cargoes, said the source, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity. Russia agreed this month to a two-month extension of the deal but has said the initiative will cease unless an agreement aimed at overcoming obstacles to Russian grain and fertiliser exports is fulfilled. Ukraine and Turkey have agreed to the new proposal, intended to improve operations in the Black Sea grain export corridor, but Russia has not yet responded, the source said. ALSO READ | US announces new $300 million package for Ukraine, but opposes strikes inside Russia U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, asked about the Reuters report at a daily press briefing, said conversations were continuing. "As you recall, the Secretary General had put forward some ideas to the parties to improve the facilitation of the work of the Joint Coordination Centre, to also work on the issue of ammonia export, which is part of the deal that was signed. Those conversations and contacts are continuing. But that's as much as I'll say right now," Dujarric said. The U.N. and Turkey brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative between Moscow and Kyiv last July to help tackle a global food crisis aggravated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a leading global grain exporter. Appeal to improve grain corridor The U.N. has handed "an official appeal to the leaders of Ukraine, Turkey and Russia with a proposal for a specific mutually beneficial algorithm to radically improve" the work of the grain corridor, the source told Reuters. "Ukraine and Turkey have confirmed their readiness to work on the algorithm proposed by the Secretary General. At the same time, as of May 30, Russia has not given its consent, despite the presence of favourable positions in the algorithm." Ukrainian officials have said that since mid-April, Russia has "unreasonably restricted" the work of the Black Sea grain deal. Russia has denied this and urged all parties to unblock the transit of ammonia via the Ukrainian port of Pivdennyi, near the Black Sea port of Odesa, which was halted after Russia's invasion in February last year. WATCH | Battleground Bakhmut: Russia vs Ukraine | WION Wideangle × Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his nightly video address, accused Russia of blocking all activity at Pivdennyi, with 1.5 million tonnes of agricultural products unable to move. Other countries, he said, should take note. "All maritime countries can now see what can threaten their ports, their coastlines if Russia gets away with blocking navigation in the Black Sea," Zelenskiy said. "In other words, the blockade of one port in Ukraine poses extremely serious risks for different nations, particularly those with relations that Russia tries to use for speculative purposes." Ukrainian authorities have said workers would need about 30 days to prepare the pipeline to pump ammonia again. Ukraine's deputy renovation minister said on Tuesday that Kyiv was seeking guarantees from Moscow and the U.N. that the grain deal will work normally if Ukraine allows Russia to export ammonia via the pipeline. A senior government source told Reuters this month that Kyiv would consider allowing Russian ammonia to transit its territory for export on condition that the Black Sea grain deal is expanded to include more Ukrainian ports and a wider range of commodities. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

UN proposes 'mutually beneficial' deal for Black Sea grain exports

Turkey's President Erdogan believes that the Russia-Ukraine grain deal, which is set to expire on Saturday, would remain in place and it will be extended by a year

Turkey President Erdogan hopeful to extend grain deal which is set to expire on November 19