European Commission exploring compromise options to replace Autonomous Trade Measures for Ukraine

BRUSSELS. June 6 (Interfax) - The termination of the European Union's Autonomous Trade Measures (ATM) for Ukraine does not mean that the EU is reducing its support for the country, and Brussels and Kiev are discussing a mutually advantageous option, European Commission Spokesperson Olof Gill said.

"The EU's commitment to supporting Ukraine is [...] as firm as ever. The decision to put in place these transitional measures away from the Autonomous Trade Measures towards a renegotiated and updated Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area reflects that commitment," Gill said at a press briefing in Brussels on Friday.

Asked to comment on the situation now that the ATMs for Ukraine expired at midnight on Thursday, Gill said the transitional period proposed by the European Commission allowed for discussing the matter with Ukrainian partners, and they had very specific and structured negotiations over the past week "with a view to reaching an agreement as soon as possible for the benefit of both sides so that traders can have stability, predictability and good conditions."

"In this transitional arrangement, the trading conditions revert to the previous Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, which already contains many preferential trading rates for Ukrainian operators. And what we will continue to try to do is strike the right balance between doing as much support as possible to Ukraine economically and politically while also taking into account economic and political realities here in the European Union [...] and we will continue on this basis," Gill said.

The Autonomous Trade Measures for Ukraine are special preferential conditions the European Union granted Ukrainian exporters to support the country's economy and ease exports from it. The ATMs were introduced in June 2022 to suspend import duties, quotas and trade protection measures with regard to Ukrainian exports.