The European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, has proposed to EU member countries the implementation of tariffs on grain imports from Russia and Belarus. This initiative aims to prevent market destabilization within the EU caused by these imports and to cut off revenue streams from these exports that could benefit Russia. Additionally, the proposal seeks to block the entry of illegally exported Ukrainian grain into the EU market, which Russia might be handling.
Although specific details regarding the tariff amounts were not disclosed, the move reflects the EU's broader strategy to reduce dependency on Russian and Belarusian agricultural products. Before the conflict in Ukraine, Russia was a significant trading partner with the EU. However, the relationship has drastically changed due to geopolitical tensions and the subsequent sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia, following its invasion of Ukraine.
The European Union has previously enforced several sanction rounds against Russia, affecting various sectors including energy, banking, and key businesses, in support of Ukraine during the ongoing conflict. These sanctions also include asset freezes and travel bans for certain Russian officials. The proposed grain import tariffs represent a continuation of the EU's efforts to apply economic pressure on Russia and support Ukraine amidst the war.