Ukraine Pushes for EU Permit-Free Trade Extension Until Year-End
KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Wednesday it was vital for the country's economy to extend a permit-free freight regime with the European Union until at least the end of the year.
Introduced following Russia's invasion in early 2022, the regime - which allows Ukrainian cargo permit-free entry to EU markets - is set to expire on June 5.
Shmyhal told reporters that he had extensive discussions with European officials regarding the agreement during his visit to Brussels.
"We are extremely pragmatic while talking with European partners, we understand our level of responsibility," he said, adding that partners were listening to Ukraine.
Marta Kos, the EU's enlargement commissioner, said at the same press conference that the Commission would bring a solution before the regime expires.
The regime was designed to support Ukraine's war-ravaged economy, but has since sparked protests in several countries, such as Poland and Hungary, where producers complained that cheaper Ukrainian goods were hurting local producers.
(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa, Writing by Max Hunder; Editing by Alison Williams and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
