Since June 6, 2025, the regime of autonomous trade preferences introduced by the European Union for Ukraine after the start of a full -scale invasion of Russia has ended. The so -called "trade visa waiver", which allowed the duty -free export of a large part of Ukrainian goods to the EU, is curtailed, and the parties return to the pre -war free trade agreement (PVZVT). However, with modifications.
What happened?
The regime of autonomous trade measures (ATZ), which has been in force since June 2022, was temporary and has extended several times. However, due to the pressure of a number of member states, especially Poland, where farm protests intensified, the European Commission has decided not to continue the preferences in 2025. Instead, transitional mode was entered.
On June 6, there are restrictions under the old agreement, but under updated rules that are currently agreed. It is expected that by the end of 2025 the parties will agree on new, liberal conditions of trade, which will not be as free as during ATZ.
Who will hurt the most?
The agrarian industry remains the most vulnerable. It was, according to Eurostat, that provided more than 60% of Ukraine's exports to the EU last year, worth about $ 25 billion. From this export, half falls on the European Union. In particular, duty -free supplies of corn, wheat, sugar and chicken can now be limited to quotas, and supply to stop in the middle of the month under the new rules.
Negotiations continue
The European Commission promises that the new trade regime will be better than the pre -war regime. The parties are currently working on temporary conditions, and the Ukrainian government hopes to agree on the updated version of the PVZVT by the end of the summer.
Olga Stephanishina emphasizes Viceremierka: "We are not talking about a complete return to pre -war conditions. The EU market remains open. We are working on a long -term solution."
Policy against the economy
In addition to economic challenges, the situation has a pronounced political dimension. In Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, Ukrainian Agro Exports have become an element of domestic policy and election campaigns. In May, the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said: assistance to Ukraine - yes, but not at the expense of Polish farmers.
Meanwhile, experts point out that Europe has also become dependent on Ukrainian agro -raw material - especially processing industry, which is less public, but requires stable deliveries.
What's next?
Upon completion of "trade visa waiver", Ukraine de facto returns to the old conditions of PVZVT, but has a chance to negotiate liberalization. At the same time, the final agreements will be exported according to complex and unpredictable rules, which can hit the agricultural producers and the country's budget.
