Poland, Hungary and Slovakia defy Brussels as Ukraine trade deal takes effect

The European Commission refused to rule out taking legal action against three countries that are keeping their unilateral import bans on Ukrainian goods.

Poland, Hungary and Slovakia are openly defying efforts to reset trade relations as a revised trade deal with Kyiv kicks in. The bans, covering Ukrainian grain and other farm products, breach EU single market rules that prohibit national trade barriers.

The defiance underscores how politically fraught the EU’s trade relationship with Ukraine has become, with capitals essentially daring Brussels to prioritize Kyiv over EU members to enforce the trade pact.

“We see no justification for maintaining these national measures,” Commission Deputy Spokesperson Olof Gill said Thursday, a day after a new European Union trade agreement meant to address EU members’ concerns about negative impacts from a flow of Ukrainian imports took effect.

In an email, Gill said the EU executive would “intensify its contact” with the intransigent capitals. Pressed on whether the Commission had ruled out launching infringement proceedings, Gill replied: “All options are on the table.”

Brussels has been reluctant to act since the bans were introduced in 2023, hoping the updated trade deal would make them redundant. Officials familiar with the talks say politics are also playing a part. Taking Poland to court could strain relations with Donald Tusk’s pro-EU government, while singling out Hungary and Slovakia would look like a double standard.

Poland’s agriculture ministry told POLITICO earlier this week that the government’s restrictions “do not automatically lift” under the new EU deal and remain in force. 

Likewise, Budapest will maintain its national-level protection, Hungary’s Agriculture Minister István Nagy said, while accusing Brussels of “prioritizing Ukrainian interests.”

His Slovak counterpart, Richard Takáč, called the new deal’s safeguards “not strong enough” to protect local producers, suggesting Bratislava will follow suit.

The bans, covering Ukrainian grain and other farm products, breach EU single market rules that prohibit national trade barriers. | Ukrinform/Getty Images

The updated agreement, approved by EU countries on Oct. 13, replaces the temporary trade liberalization introduced after Russia’s 2022 invasion, providing a more stable framework for Ukrainian exports while adding safeguards for European farmers.

This story has been updated.