Agriculture minister: Russia is using grain as ammunition

Farmers in Poland and other nations bordering Ukraine came under pressure from Ukrainian grain this year, pushing Warsaw to close its border for imports. As result Brussels agreed to halt imports of Ukrainian grain through the borders of Ukraine's neighbors, allowing only shipments in transit.

"Surely Russia uses grain as ammunition, this time it is happening again," Telus told Reuters.

Telus also urged the European Union to help improve grain logistics as more Ukrainian shipments will start flowing through borders after the harvest.

Telus said Warsaw was ready to improve the transit of grain through its border but said the flow will not increase immediately.

"We are willing to make transit even more efficient. Harvest has just started but later on the flow will certainly increase. We have to force the EU to help improve infrastructure," he said.

"For example, today, in Poland, raspberries and other soft fruits are a problem. In other countries, this is not a problem. Flexibility is needed here. If we have a problem, let these raspberries and fruit go where they are needed. And other products too," the minister proposed.

"Because, for example, we need sunflower and sunflower oil in Poland because we don't have it, and Bulgaria doesn't need it because Bulgaria has it already. What is needed here is flexibility and normal cooperation with the European Union, which I regret, but so far there is none," the minister added.

Telus, who will meet his counterparts from Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova on Wednesday, said Warsaw would push for an extension of the embargo on Ukrainian grain imports beyond Sept. 15.

"As far as transit is concerned, we will assist the EU in defusing this worldwide problem caused by Russia," Mateusz Morawiecki told a news conference in Brussels. "We are of the opinion that this cannot lead to the destabilisation of Polish agricultural markets," he added.