Ukraine's promise to take measures itself to better control exports has failed to calm several neighboring countries.
As Ukraine now tries to open new shipping routes on the western side of the Black Sea (through the maritime territory of NATO countries Romania and Bulgaria), a cargo ship yesterday struck a (presumably: drifted) sea mine for the first time. This happened ten nautical miles off the coast. The ship is not leaking, but the crew was evacuated by helicopter.
Thanks to EU measures, Ukrainian agricultural products were able to be transported overland through Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia to EU ports in recent months, but could not be sold on local markets. That agreement expired last Friday and the European Commission decided not to extend it because there were no longer market disruptions.
Hungary then announced it would close its border to 24 Ukrainian products. The Polish government followed this example and expanded a Polish embargo on Ukrainian grain. The issue is particularly sensitive in Poland ahead of next month's elections. Slovakia has announced it will ban the import of four raw materials, including wheat, until the end of the year.
These measures conflict with the EU policy of one single common market.
In response, Kiev said it filed lawsuits at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the three neighboring countries. EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said he was "quite surprised that Ukraine chose this route," but the agriculture ministers of most EU countries showed understanding for Ukraine's position earlier this week.
The Netherlands wants the European Commission to take action now that Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia continue to block Ukrainian agricultural products on their own accord. "I made it clear today that this is not the way to deal with Ukraine," said Agriculture Minister Piet Adema on Monday after consulting with his EU counterparts.
The Commission could start disciplinary proceedings, among other things, which could bring the three obstructive EU countries before the European court. That court can impose fines and penalties, but this process takes at least several months.