The European Parliament voted to prolong tariff-free trade with Ukraine for another year to support the Ukrainian economy in wartimes.

As Rikard Jozwiak, Radio Liberty editor, on Twitter, the European Parliament has voted in favour of prolonging tariff-free trade with Ukraine by another year – 537 for, 42 against, 38 abstained.

The European Parliament has now voted in favour of prolonging tariff free trade with #Ukraine by another year. 537 for, 42 against, 38 abstained

— Rikard Jozwiak (@RikardJozwiak) May 9, 2023

Later, the press service of the European Parliament also published a statement.

The suspension of tariffs applies to fruits and vegetables subject to the entry price system, as well as agricultural products and processed agricultural products subject to tariff-rate quotas. Industrial products are subject to zero duties since 1 January 2023 under the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, so they are not included in the new proposal.

In May 2022, the EU Council cancelled all tariffs and quotas on exports from Ukraine for a year as a support measure in connection with Russia's full-scale invasion.

Since February 2023, the EU has initiated the procedure for extending tariff-free trade with Ukraine for another year. First, the corresponding proposal was made by the European Commission, which the relevant committee of the European Parliament and EU ambassadors later supported.

However, there have been problems with the export of agricultural products since Ukraine's neighbours were dissatisfied with the effect on their markets and their own farmers.