Ukraine Refuses Permanent EU Market Ban on Agriculture, PM Demands Temporary Restrictions Only

POLICY WIRE — Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukrainian Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi has asserted that his nation cannot be permanently excluded from the European Union’s internal agricultural market. Speaking at the Euronews Enlargement Summit, the Prime Minister argued that any restrictions on Ukrainian imports should remain strictly temporary rather than becoming permanent.

Koretskyi stated that the government acknowledges the anxieties felt by farmers across Europe and is willing to engage in practical, open dialogues. He emphasized that while transitional measures are a reality of the enlargement process, they must be tailored to specific risks and include clear criteria for review and termination.

This stance follows a recent proposal from the European Commission to limit certain Ukrainian agricultural exports, such as wheat and various grains, within the EU market. That suggestion was driven by concerns from several member states, even after Kyiv achieves full membership.

The Prime Minister clarified that these measures should not evolve into a permanent barrier or create a secondary tier of status within the single market. He pointed out that Ukrainian producers face the massive task of investing to comply with EU food safety standards while simultaneously repairing domestic infrastructure damaged by Russian military strikes.

Since Koretskyi assumed the role of Prime Minister in July, Ukraine’s path toward the Union has accelerated. Kyiv has established a specialized joint task force with the European Commission to streamline the negotiation process.

Ukraine is now categorized as one of four accession ‘frontrunners,’ alongside Moldova, Albania, and Montenegro. The Commission is scheduled to release a formal roadmap for these nations this Wednesday, outlining the specific requirements for membership.

For Koretskyi, the prospect of joining the EU is the fundamental motivation for Ukraine’s resistance against Russia. He believes that Kyiv’s integration would provide a significant security boost to the entire bloc.

The Prime Minister described EU membership as the central pillar of his government’s strategy, framing it as a symbol of hope for a stable future that would foster peace, security, and economic growth for both Ukraine and Europe.

The Prime Minister aims to open all remaining negotiating chapters within the current year. He also seeks to begin closing several of these chapters during the first half of 2027, under the Lithuanian presidency of the EU.

Koretskyi acknowledged that these goals are ambitious but maintained that Ukraine is not seeking shortcuts. Instead, the country is asking for a credible path based on merit, featuring defined milestones and timely decisions once those benchmarks are met.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)