Kiev expects European Commission to react accordingly if unilateral export restrictions extended after Sept 15

MOSCOW. Aug 29 (Interfax) - The Office of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is expecting a prompt and appropriate reaction from the European Commission if unilateral restrictions on the export of Ukrainian agricultural products are extended after September 15, Deputy Head of Zelensky's Office Igor Zhovkva said in an interview with Ukrainian media.

"If after September 15 individual member states of the EU adopt a unilateral decision nonetheless to restrict Ukraine's trade with the EU, we will expect a quick and appropriate reaction from the European Commission, including from the point of view of law, in relation to such states, because the principles of the EU Single Market and the provisions of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement must not be violated under any circumstances," Zhovkva said.

However, "if the European Commission violates the Association Agreement, including its points on a deep and comprehensive free trade area, Ukraine reserves the right to choose legal mechanisms on how to respond to that," he said.

Zelensky met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Athens last week, Zhovkva said.

"It was a highly important meeting. The president of Ukraine told Madam President in no uncertain terms that we remember that the decision of the European Commission to restrict Ukrainian exports is valid until September 15. And after that it will not work," he said.

"Madam President confirmed once again that her position has not changed. We are confident that no pressure from any EU member country will entail a breach of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement," he said.

"We spoke about the need to draw a clear line between de jure actions and de facto actions. Some countries say de jure sometimes that they are not blocking transit, but de facto this is far from the case," Zhovkva said.

"I have an agreement with the cabinet of President von der Leyen that we will immediately prove any facts of Ukrainian transit blocking and will demand a response. It is important that Madam President of the European Commission made it clear that there will be no unsubstantiated decision on extending the embargo after September 15," he said.

After that meeting, "pressure continued from Poland (I mean the Polish agriculture minister's statement that certain countries will prolong the ban on the export of Ukrainian grain to them after September 15)," he said.

"But Ukraine will not be a hostage to any foreign election campaign. By the way, I am not speaking about Poland alone. So, we are working with every government that wants to hear Ukraine's position, that wants to hear arguments. And if decisions are made, it should be done only on the basis of arguments, facts and relevant procedures," Zhovkva said.