EU and Ukrainian officials hold trade and economic reform talks in Brussels
Today, the EU’s top-ranking official for foreign affairs and security, Federica Mogherini, meets with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman to discuss trade relations.
The EU and Ukraine entered into the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement in 2016, whereby goods and services markets were opened. With this arrangement, the EU is now Ukraine’s largest trade partner—indeed, nearly half of Kyiv’s trade is with the EU.
Both sides have gradually lowered tariffs, while Ukraine has promised to adhere to higher standards in areas like the rule of law and intellectual property rights. Today’s meeting will address the progress of the preferential trading arrangement.
Economic ties between Brussels and Kyiv are especially important as tensions between Ukraine and Russia have again flared. After last month’s standoff in the Sea of Azov, the EU upheld banking and energy sector sanctions on Moscow, but Ukraine will likely request an even tougher stance, particularly on the NordStream 2 pipeline.
The EU, meanwhile, could pressure Kyiv to restore order and end its current 30-day period of martial law, though this is unlikely. Regardless, the strategic partnership of the EU and Ukraine is key in deterring further Russian aggression, and today’s meetings will underscore anti-Moscow solidarity.
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