Poland’s Robert Telus and Ukraine’s Mykola Solskyi spoke online on Wednesday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Afterwards, the Polish agriculture minister said it had been “a good conversation” that would “help resolve the issue of Ukrainian grain.”
He stated that “grain from Ukraine must not be allowed to enter the Polish market,” adding that “the Ukrainian side acknowledged our position.”
Telus also told reporters he had urged that Ukraine drop its lawsuit against Poland at the World Trade Organisation, over the country’s ban on Ukrainian grain imports.
He added: “The Ukrainian agriculture minister declared he would discuss dropping the lawsuit with the economy minister. It would be a good move, if we are to seek long-term solutions.”
The Polish agriculture minister said he was “very pleased” with the talks with Ukraine and efforts to create solutions for the future.
He said it was “the responsibility of Poland and other near-frontline countries, as well as Ukraine and above all the European Union” to develop measures “to secure the Polish market and other EU markets” and allow Ukrainian grain “to go where it is needed” and thus avert a global food crisis.
Telus also said Poland would consider Ukraine’s proposals that Kyiv license its grain exports to Poland, and that the checks on the grain coming out of Ukraine be held in German ports, rather than on the Polish-Ukrainian border, the PAP news agency reported.
The next round of talks will be held in the coming weeks, according to officials.
The Polish government has said that “given the current market situation, the embargo [on Ukrainian grain imports] is justified and is designed to help maintain Poland’s food security and public security.”
An influx of Ukrainian grain would “cause another crash on the Polish grain market,” and so the ban will “help prevent strikes and social unrest,” officials added.
Meanwhile, the transit of Ukrainian grain through Poland to other countries, or to Poland’s seaports, remains allowed, the Polish government said.
Wednesday is day 581 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
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Source: PAP, gov.pl