Poland and Ukraine held negotiations on the regulation of imports of Ukrainian products

“Without a free Ukraine, there will be no safe Europe,” D. Tusk said on the X social network after the negotiations began.

Kyiv has repeatedly called on its European Union neighbor to ease cross-border traffic disruptions, warning that vehicle delays caused by blockades could hamper arms deliveries to the country.

“We expect a pragmatic and constructive dialogue and effective solutions,” D. Šmyhalis stated on social networks.

So far, only low-level talks have taken place between the countries, with little sign of progress. Ahead of their latest meeting, the Polish side tried to temper expectations.

“After these negotiations, it is difficult to expect a breakthrough, a concrete agreement […] on agricultural issues”, Jan Grabiec, the head of D. Tusk’s administration, told the Polish state news agency PAP.

“Positions differ on this matter,” he added.

After the talks, Mr. Tusk said that Warsaw and Kyiv had made progress in resolving the dispute over the import of Ukrainian agricultural products that had sparked farmers’ protests.

“We are looking for good solutions for both sides; we have taken a step forward in the field of agriculture”, D. Tusk told journalists after the negotiations in Warsaw.

The invasion launched by Russia in February 2022 paralyzed Ukraine’s agricultural sector, with many export routes across the Black Sea blocked and areas of agricultural land rendered unusable by the war.

Ministerial talks between the two governments are also scheduled for Thursday, which will discuss defense cooperation between the allies.

D. Tusk announced the meeting in Warsaw last month, after the Ukrainian authorities urged Warsaw to hold talks near the common border of the countries. Poland then rejected this invitation.