The Government of Ukraine is calling on its Polish counterparts to lift the ban on imports of domestic agricultural products, and on the EU to create a compensation mechanism for Ukrainian farmers affected by export restrictions. The First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko wrote about this on her Twitter account.

"We call on Polish colleagues to remember the principle of partnership. Blocking Ukrainian grain at the EU border is unacceptable. Russian aggression makes a real threat to our farmers – destruction of ports and grain silos, blockade of the Black Sea make work hard and dangerous," wrote Yuliia Svyrydenko.

She stressed that Polish officials say they are acting "not against Ukrainians" but "in favour of Polish farmers". Thus, according to Yuliia Svyrydenko, the borders should be open for Ukrainian farmers first and foremost. After all, Russia is now trying to destroy the Ukrainian agricultural sector in order to weaken our defence capabilities. Therefore, an open border and free trade for Ukrainian agricultural products means security for the entire EU, including Polish farmers.

"The partnership between Ukraine and Poland should not be selective. Security should be the top priority, even in the face of an intense election campaign in a democratic society," stressed Yuliia Svyrydenko.

The Minister added that the Government of Ukraine calls on the EU to create a compensation mechanism for Ukrainian farmers affected by export restrictions.