In a statement, the EU executive announces the proposal, explaining that it "constitutes an unprecedented gesture of support for a country at war," providing, in addition to the suspension of duties on EU imports into Ukraine, the cessation for one year of "all existing EU anti-dumping and safeguard measures on Ukrainian steel exports."

Quoted by the Lusa news agency, the EU states that, "the measure is designed to help boost exports from Ukraine to the EU," aiming to "alleviate the plight of Ukrainian producers and exporters in the face of Russia's military invasion."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen points out that "Russia's unprovoked and unjustified aggression is seriously affecting the Ukrainian economy."

"I have been in discussions with (Ukrainian) President Zelensky about ways to support the economy, beyond the macro-financial assistance and grants we are providing, and we both agreed on the crucial importance of a quick and broad suspension of import duties to boost Ukraine's economy," she added, quoted in the note.

"The step we are taking today answers this call and will greatly facilitate the export of Ukrainian industrial and agricultural goods to the EU," the EU executive leader adds.

In 2021, EU-Ukraine bilateral trade reached its highest level since the entry into force of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, totaling more than 52 billion euros.

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian economy and its trade with the world were affected.

At the last EU-Ukraine Summit in October 2021, the revision of Article 29 on further trade liberalization was launched.

Today's proposal by the European Commission now needs to be considered and approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.

Source: Lusa