EU responds to Ukraine's request for 220 million euros for farmers due to port blockade
The European Commission responded to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine's letter requesting 220 million euros in non-refundable assistance for Ukrainian farmers due to Russian attacks on Black Sea ports: Brussels stated that support will be provided using existing mechanisms, according to Європейська правда.
This was stated by European Commission spokesperson Marcus Lammert.
The EU effectively refused to provide an additional 220 million euros to Ukrainian farmers and promised support within the framework of existing projects.
"We can confirm that we responded to the recent letter from the Minister of Agriculture of Ukraine. In our response, we identified areas of possible support for the agricultural sector of Ukraine using existing mechanisms", – said Lammert.
He reminded that Ukraine "already receives interest rate subsidies on loans for farmers within the Ukraine Facility, so Ukrainian farmers already receive support within the Plan."
According to him, the European Commission also supports lending programs through intermediaries for Ukrainian banks, which in turn provide loans to entrepreneurs and, in particular, farmers.
"These programs can help farmers who find themselves in a difficult liquidity situation", – said the spokesperson.
Marcus Lammert assured that the European Commission maintains close contact with Ukraine and Ukrainian authorities on this issue, in particular to assess the situation in the Black Sea and the consequences of the sea blockade caused by Russian shelling.
"The Commission also maintains contacts with Romania, Moldova and Ukrainian authorities, in particular with companies, to assess the situation with alternative transportation routes through the 'Solidarity Lanes'", – added the official.
As reported by "European Pravda", in early August the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine appealed to the European Commission with a request to consider the possibility of allocating 220 million euros of non-refundable support to compensate interest on loans for Ukrainian small and medium-sized agricultural producers.
Recall, due to intensified Russian attacks, Ukraine has lost about a third of its capacity to export grain through key Black Sea ports.
At the end of July, ships stopped entering Ukrainian ports due to the deteriorating security situation. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also warned that Russia would increase pressure on the sea corridor.
On July 20, the government of Moldova is holding an expanded meeting on the transit of Ukrainian grain, as the Association of Grain and Oilseed Exporters in Moldova fears that transit from Ukraine will lead to overloading of the Moldovan railway.
