Ukrainian Economy Digest
Dear subscribers, Ukrinform presents a daily bulletin of news that affects the economy of Ukraine and its future "Economic News"
To subscribe to the advanced version, contact our manager here: skorik@ukrinform.com
Defense
Armoured vehicle coalition in support of Ukraine launched in Warsaw
The Polish capital hosted the first meeting of the member countries of the armoured vehicle coalition in support of Ukraine.
The event was held in Warsaw on March 26, Ukrinform reports, citing the website of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
"During the first meeting, representatives of the participating countries developed a consolidated position on strengthening the technical park of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with certain types of armoured vehicles and organizing a system for their repair," the ministry said.
It is noted that four syndicates have been created within the armoured vehicle coalition. Each syndicate has specific tasks: supplying weapons and ammunition for Western armoured vehicles; maintenance and repair; training crews and technicians; and developing effective tactics for using armoured vehicles on the battlefield.
“The armoured vehicle coalition aims to strengthen the armoured shield of the Ukrainian Defence Forces, to jointly enhance the capabilities of our army in the fight against the Russian aggressor, to ensure the effective operation, maintenance and repair of equipment and weapons provided by our allies," said Deputy Minister of Defence Ivan Havryliuk, who leads the Ukrainian delegation.
According to him, this is a very important initiative of the allies, given the existing problems in the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the repair of foreign armoured vehicles. "I hope that with the help of our allies, we will be able to create an effective repair base for Western armoured vehicles in Ukraine as soon as possible," the deputy minister added.
Havryliuk informed that the newly created coalition would develop a roadmap that will be in line with the development strategy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
It is expected that in the long term, the member countries of the tank and armoured vehicle coalitions will help create the future armoured vehicle fleet of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and establish an innovative industrial partnership with Ukraine.
As reported, Poland and Germany initiated the creation of an armored vehicle coalition to meet the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The coalition has since been joined by other partners, including the UK, Sweden, and Italy.
World
Czech Republic increases contribution to its own initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine
The Czech government has approved its next contribution to the initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine from third countries.
This was announced at a briefing after a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, a Ukrinform correspondent reported.
"The government approved today a further contribution of the Czech Republic to support Ukraine," Fiala said.
He did not name the amount of the contribution, but noted that it is extremely important for Ukraine to know that "within weeks or months" it will receive additional ammunition and thus plan and adapt its tactics on the battlefield.
As reported, the first deliveries under the Czech initiative should arrive in Ukraine no later than June.
Prague initiated the purchase of ammunition for Ukraine in third countries with EU funds. It was about 800,000 rounds of ammunition found in different parts of the world. However, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said the day before that the amount of ammunition delivered could be almost twice as much.
Trade
EU may extend "exemptions" from trade liberalizations for Ukraine to oats, corn, groats, honey
The Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU at the level of ambassadors (COREPER) has launched a formal discussion of the extension of the so-called autonomous trade measures regarding Ukraine for another year.
At the same time, on the initiative of several EU member states, the EU could extend "exemptions" as regards deliveries to the EU (besides wheat) to rapeseed and sunflower seeds, as well as corn, oats, groats, and honey. That’s according to an official of the Belgian Presidency of the EU, who spoke with an Ukrinform correspondent.
The guiding principle of the Belgian Presidency of the EU in discussing the issue with the Council of the EU and with MEPS remains the desire to reach a balanced agreement that would maintain strong support for Ukraine and at the same time allow the EU to respond to the concerns of farming communities regarding the import of certain sensitive products from Ukraine, according to the official.
He recalled that such work continues in full compliance with the EU's political decision to extend the autonomous trade measures for Ukraine for another year, as well as the commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes and with the required intensity.
At the same time, the representative recalled that the European Commission had presented proposals to strengthen the existing protective wavers in relation to these measures to reduce the likely negative impact of large-scale imports from Ukraine and certain sectors of the European agricultural market. Such proposals became the subject of tripartite negotiations between the Belgian Presidency of the EU, the European Commission, and the European Parliament. As a result, it was possible to reach balanced proposals that take into account the interests of Ukraine and at the same time protect European farmers, the interlocutor said.
In particular, it is proposed to include oats, corn, groats, and honey among the goods that may be subject to "automatic" protective measures.
At the same time, it is proposed to reduce the period for activating such protective measures from 21 to 14 days. Additional parameters that may activate such restrictions are expected to be adopted for wheat and other cereals. At the same time, member states are proposed to introduce stricter controls on the import of grain crops and sunflowers. The European Commission will be asked to strengthen control over the volume of supplies of these goods from Ukraine, and to take timely measures to prevent destabilization of the European agricultural market.
As is understood, some of the delegations are still not fully satisfied with the proposals that were agreed upon during tripartite negotiations. Some of them would like to introduce even tougher protection, while others would like to maintain the scope of autonomous measures in trade with Ukraine, said the representative of the Belgian EU Presidency.
After discussions at the level of ambassadors, compromise solutions, if found, will be sent to European capitals for consultation. A final decision on the extension of autonomous trade measures with Ukraine for another year, as well as on possible protective "exemptions", is expected to be made public on Wednesday evening.
As reported earlier, on March 20, representatives of the European Parliament and EU Council reached a provisional agreement on the extension for another year, until June 5, 2025, of trade liberalization measures for Ukraine in the conditions of the Russian war, with the simultaneous introduction of safeguards for the import of certain types of food products from Ukraine.
