We are one of the countries that will not allow imports of Ukrainian agricultural products. We are protecting our own market, Fico said, commenting on his Wednesday meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrei Sibiga, to whom he reaffirmed the same position.

At the same time, the Slovak prime minister assured that his country will guarantee the transit of Ukrainian production through its territory.

In 2022, the European Union (EU) suspended tariffs on Ukrainian goods for one year in order to help Kiev increase exports, a measure that was extended for another year in May 2023 and last March.

That same year the EU also facilitated the entry of Ukrainian grain to be re-exported to third countries, but due to logistical problems most of the product remained in countries bordering Ukraine.

The situation sparked a crisis in the agricultural sector in these states, particularly in Poland and Hungary, until in January 2023, the two countries, after strong protests from their farmers, urged the EU to reinstate import tariffs on Ukrainian corn and other products.

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