Ukraine may consider giving up 96.5 billion euros in European Union agricultural subsidies in exchange for easing the bloc's Green Deal requirements during accession talks that start next month. An anonymous Ukrainian official told Reuters.
Ukraine, which has a vast agricultural complex capable of feeding hundreds of millions of people, was invited to join the EU last year and will begin sectoral accession talks in March to harmonize its legislation with EU requirements.
The integration of Ukraine's large agricultural sector, which was the world's fourth-largest grain supplier before Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, into the European Union is likely to be highly sensitive both politically and economically.
Kyiv could be eligible to receive €96.5 billion in subsidies under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy over seven years if current rules apply to the enlarged union.
However, the EU's Green Deal, which has been setting agricultural rules for the bloc's 27 members for decades, could make business more difficult for Ukrainian farmers than operating without the bloc's subsidies.
"It seems to me that the ideal negotiation strategy is (to achieve) lower trade restrictions, lower environmental restrictions (for Ukrainian farmers), and we are ready to exchange this for subsidies," the official said.
