Ukraine's MFA chief to Polish farmers: our common enemy is Russia

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, speaking in an interview with Reuters, told Polish farmers: "Ukrainian farmer is definitely not your enemy. It is a friend who works as hard as you do. Our common enemy is Russia."

The minister added that "the only country that celebrates any slightest discussion and argument between Ukrainians and Poles is President Putin". "Let’s not make him happy."

"We are grateful for what Poland has done for Ukraine and Ukrainians since the beginning of the aggression. This gratefulness is unquestionable. We completely disagree with the policy line Poland has taken on the issue of grain. We believe that grain should be out of politics. It should remain purely humanitarian, humanitarian issue," Kuleba stressed.

"I am confident we will find a way out with our Polish friends and the relationship will not mess up entirely. Because this relationship is much broader and deeper. But yes, as of now, we are in a very difficult moment with Poland on the issue of grain. The key day will be 15th of September when the European Commission is expected not to extend its restrictions. And then everything will depend on unilateral actions taken by Poland. And we hope that they will not take them. We are working with them," the MFA chief added.

The EU in May allowed Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia to ban domestic sales of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seeds, while permitting transit of such cargoes for export elsewhere. The ban is set to end on September 15.

The five central European countries want a European Union ban on Ukrainian grains imports to be extended at least until the end of the year with Poland threatening to keep borders closed if Brussels does not agree.

The countries include some of Kyiv's staunchest diplomatic supporters in its war against Moscow, but they say inflows of Ukrainian grain have hurt their farming sectors.

The collapse of a deal allowing Black Sea exports from Ukraine this week could lead to increased grains flows and bottlenecks, the countries fear.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Poland will not lift the ban on September 15 even if the EU does not agree on its extension.