© Augst Eibner / Pressefoto / Legion-Media
Kachka conveyed that if Poland, along with other EU countries extends the ban, Ukraine will initiate a lawsuit against both entities at the World Trade Organization (WTO). He stated, "With all due respect and gratitude to Poland in the event of any extended bans post September 15, Ukraine will bring the matter to the WTO against Poland and the EU."
The crux of Ukraine's contention is that these restrictions infringe upon the free trade agreement they established with the EU in 2014. While Kachka emphasized the spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect between Ukraine and the EU, suggesting that Ukraine would not hastily resort to countermeasures. He pointed out that consistent threats to Ukraine's interests compel them to approach the WTO.
The Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, Igor Zhovkva, resonated with this sentiment, saying that if Brussels remains passive on the matter, Kyiv "holds the right to choose the legal course of action." Moreover, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that the country might either kickstart arbitration proceedings in line with the Association Agreement with the EU or seek recourse through the WTO.
In prior discussions, Poland's Minister of Agriculture indicated that Poland, coupled with Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary are contemplating the extension of the import ban till the end of the year, beyond the initial September 15 deadline.
Comment: Lest we forget that, back in April, an investigation by Hungary found that these agricultural exports from Ukraine contained unacceptable levels of GMOs and toxins - probably another benefit of Kiev selling off its agricultural industry to US corporations.
Further, does Ukraine really want to antagonise Poland? Poland which, in a rather sinister move, is the first country to begin extraditing Ukrainian citizens back to the Kiev juntas meat grinder? Poland begins extraditing Ukrainian men who fled conscription