“In the current context, she said, it must be emphasized that trade policy is the exclusive competence of the European Union and therefore unilateral action is unacceptable.”

The announcement by the two countries of the suspension of purchases of Ukrainian grains is an attempt to appease farmers amid an oversupply in their domestic markets that caused local prices to fall. They have long sought to end imports of cheap grain from Ukraine.

Last Saturday, following pressure from local producers, the two countries decided to impose a temporary ban on imports of grain and other food from Ukraine.

jrr/llp/jf/amp