EU Commission proposes raising customs duties on grain imports from RF and Belarus
Photo: The EU may raise tariffs on grain imports from the Russian Federation and Belarus (Getty Images)
The European Commission has announced a proposal to increase customs duties on the import of Russian grain products into the countries of the European Union. This was stated by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during her joint press conference with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, in Brussels.
Von der Leyen noted that the proposal concerns customs duties on grain products, oilseed seeds, and derivatives from Russia and Belarus. According to her, there were "sufficient reasons" for such a proposal, and it will help "prevent destabilization of European markets by Russian grain."
"It will stop Russia from using the revenues from the export of these goods to the European Union, and it will ensure that illegal Russian exports of stolen Ukrainian grain do not enter the EU market," von der Leyen said.
Belgium's Prime Minister, currently presiding over the European Council, Alexander De Croo, added that this issue would be actively discussed by EU leaders on the second day of the summit on Friday, March 22.
EU Summit in Brussels
On March 21-22, a summit of European Union leaders is taking place in Brussels. During the meeting, discussions focus on the continuation of support for Ukraine, security and defense issues, including the situation in the Middle East, EU enlargement, international relations, migration, and agriculture.
Following the first day of the summit, the European Council called for stronger sanctions against Russia. It is proposed to introduce new mechanisms that will prevent the aggressor from bypassing restrictions through third countries.
Recently, ministers of agriculture from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, and Czechia proposed that the EU ban the import of grain from Russia and Belarus.
Earlier, representatives of the majority of political groups in the European Parliament expressed support for sanctions on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus.
