Ukraine Secures Upgraded EU Market Access in Landmark Trade Agreement

The European Union and Ukraine have reached a political agreement to modernize their trade relationship, granting Ukraine expanded access to the EU market while introducing safeguards to address concerns among European farmers.

The Gaze reports on this with reference to Politico.

The agreement replaces the temporary wartime trade liberalization measures that expired in early June and comes after months of uncertainty for Ukrainian exporters. 

Though the deal does not fully restore the zero-tariff regime granted at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, it expands quotas for a wide range of Ukrainian products and introduces safeguards to protect European producers.

“Today’s agreement in principle is balanced, fair and realistic,” said EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. “It represents the best possible outcome under difficult geopolitical conditions.”

Under the new terms, Ukraine commits to continuing its alignment with EU agricultural standards, including regulations on animal welfare, pesticide use, and food safety, as part of its broader path toward EU membership. 

Full alignment is expected by 2028. In return, the EU will increase import quotas for many Ukrainian goods, though politically sensitive items such as wheat, poultry, eggs, and sugar will remain under tighter restrictions.

Both sides will retain the right to restrict imports if serious market disruptions occur, offering a safety valve for frontline EU states like Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania, where farmer protests have intensified in recent years over cheap Ukrainian imports.

Taras Kachka, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister for Economy and lead negotiator, praised the deal as a strong outcome. “We actually follow EU standards, and we started this not today but 15 years ago,” Kachka stated, adding that the agreement helps show Ukraine is “a predictable trade partner” and lays the groundwork for deeper economic integration.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the agreement “a bridge of resilience and economic solidarity,” adding that it protects European agricultural interests while bringing Ukraine closer to full EU integration. 

The technical details of the deal will be finalized, after which it must be endorsed by EU member states and the European Parliament. Formal adoption will follow through the EU-Ukraine Association Committee.

Read more on The Gaze: Ukraine is Ready to Start EU Membership Talks