The EU is in a heated debate over this matter
According to Reuters on September 18th, the Spanish Agriculture Minister stated on the 18th that any EU member state unilaterally banning the import of Ukrainian grains seems illegal, while France stated that European unity is at risk.
According to reports, Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Puchades, stated before the EU Agriculture Ministers' meeting that whether EU countries have violated any laws "will be determined by the European Commission.".
After the European Commission decided not to extend the ban on Ukrainian grain exports to the five Eastern European member states, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary recently announced their respective restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports.
Since Russia took special military action against Ukraine, Ukrainian farmers have been relying on the so-called "solidarity route" through neighboring countries to export grains, as Ukraine is unable to use the preferred route through ports in the Black Sea. Approximately 60% of Ukrainian grains have been transported through alternative routes of the European Union, while 40% of grains are still transported through the Black Sea route until Moscow withdrew from the United Nations supported Black Sea Grain Initiative in July this year.
On April 7, 2023, Romanian farmers held a protest outside the EU office in Bucharest, the capital, against Ukrainian grain imports.
![The EU is in a heated debate over this matter](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/7fe5c8ca48d2b8c3ea64454422fa0e02.jpg)
Romania has become a land transportation channel for over 60% of Ukraine's grain exports. The Romanian Prime Minister stated on the 18th that if import requests increase, Romania may also extend the ban.
French Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Mark Feno, criticized these actions, stating that they have called into question the unity of Europe.
He said, "To unite, we need unity... We must firmly grasp these two elements, otherwise Europe will face risks. A single market is a fundamental element."