The EU's grain import ban is putting more "weapons" in Putin's hands.

On May 31, Ukraine warned that the grain import ban imposed by some European Union (EU) countries is helping Russian President Vladimir Putin divide Europe.

Thổ Nhĩ Kỳ: Con tàu đầu tiên chở ngũ cốc Ukraine sẽ sớm rời cảng

Kiev warns of harmful effects from ban on Ukrainian grain imports. (Source: Reuters)

On Twitter, the Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture stressed: "Continuing to impose restrictions means putting more 'weapons' in the hands of Putin to fight against European unity. The current restrictions must be lifted."

Several of Ukraine's neighbors, including staunch ally Poland, imposed temporary restrictions on Kiev's agricultural products last month.

On May 30, European Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski called for these restrictions to be extended until at least the end of October 2023.

After Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, Kiev’s grain exports across the Black Sea were disrupted. Ukrainian grain exports were then shipped via the EU to other countries, including Africa.

The EU has lifted all duties and quotas on Ukrainian grain exports to its 27 member states, to facilitate shipments to other regions around the world .

However, a large amount of Ukrainian grain is stuck in Eastern European countries, seriously affecting the domestic market.

Source