EU forbids exports of grain from Ukraine to five members

The European Union has blocked the import of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seed to five member states for at least a month. The measure replaces bans by individual countries and is scheduled to expire June 5, unless it is extended. Kiev can still use a common customs transit procedure to export the grain and seed-oil components to other EU member states or outside the bloc, but cannot sell them to the five “frontline” countries. In return, the EU will provide “financial support” to their farmers. Kiev has argued that letting Ukraine export its grain via the EU and the Black Sea Initiative would help countries in Africa and Asia dependent on food imports, but the EU did not mention any of that in its announcement. Meanwhile, Russian grain and fertilizer remain blocked from reaching the rest of the world due to US and EU sanctions against Moscow’s shipping industry.