The European Union will not extend the duty-free trade regime with Ukraine beyond June 5, 2025. This was reported by a source familiar with the negotiations in Brussels.
Starting June 6, the EU’s autonomous trade measures introduced in 2022 in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion will expire. This means the reintroduction of tariffs and quotas on Ukrainian goods, as well as the end of temporary restrictions on the export of certain sensitive products such as poultry, eggs, and honey.
The source noted that the EU is considering maintaining trade preferences for specific categories of Ukrainian exports — particularly steel — but no final decision has been made. The return to pre-war conditions is expected to deal a significant blow to Ukraine’s economy, which is already under pressure amid global trade instability. Experts warn that reinstating tariffs could reduce export revenues and hinder Ukrainian goods’ access to the EU market.
The EU initially granted Ukraine trade concessions to support its economy during wartime. However, this move triggered discontent among European farmers, especially in Eastern European countries. Since 2023, farmers across Europe have protested against the influx of cheaper Ukrainian products. In Poland, demonstrators even blocked border checkpoints to stop Ukrainian trucks from entering.
Under growing pressure, the European Commission agreed to make concessions: several neighboring countries, including Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia, introduced unilateral bans on imports of Ukrainian products.
