EU Statement at the 2nd WTO Trade Policy Review of Ukraine, 26 February 2025

On behalf of the European Union and its Member States, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the Delegation of Ukraine, led by Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade Representative Mr Taras Kachka. Let me extend my appreciation to the Discussant, Ambassador Ronald SABORÍO (Costa Rica) for his insightful comments, and to the WTO Secretariat and Ukraine for their respective reports, which form a good basis for our discussion.

Ukraine had to close its airspace for civilian aviation at the start of martial law, following the illegitimate full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022. So we should start by commending the Ukrainian Delegation for even being here, bearing in mind the difficulties of international travel. Thank you and welcome again. 

Today, just over 3 years since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the European Union reiterates its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of international law. We reaffirm our continued support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We also reconfirm the European Union’s unwavering commitment to providing continued political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed. 

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion three years ago, the EU has provided to Ukraine more than €134 billion in humanitarian, financial, economic and military support – making the EU the largest donor in support of Ukraine.

Mister Chairperson, the EU-Ukraine trade relationship is stronger than ever. In addition to the WTO agreement, it is based on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, which includes a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) providing for extensive trade liberalisation as well as legislative approximation commitments. Since the entry into force in 2016 our bilateral trade in goods has more than doubled from EUR 26 billion in 2015 to EUR 62 billion in 2023. 

Recognising the importance of supporting Ukraine’s export sector and in line with the DCFTA’s objective of progressive tariff liberalisation the EU adopted unilateral trade measures between June 2022 and June 2025. These measures have provided for duty-free and quota-free imports to the EU for a few important Ukrainian agricultural products not fully liberalised by the Association Agreement. 

We recognise the extreme hardship of balancing the economy given the constant threats to territory and human life, and the wanton destruction of power facilities and transport routes. Given Russia’s persistent threats to the navigability of the Black Sea, the EU has also implemented Solidarity Lanes strengthening transport links and border infrastructure to support trade worth more than EUR 206 billion via road, rail and inland waterways since May 2022. This initiative has been important for global food security as well as for the supply of vital imports for Ukraine. 

In addition to our close trading relationship, since June 2022 our relations with Ukraine have been elevated to the highest possible level, and it was accepted as a candidate country to join the European Union. Accession negotiations are underway. The EU is even in the process of integrating Ukraine into parts of the EU internal market before accession. 

We welcome the significant reform being undertaken by the government of Ukraine, including on economic and public governance and enhancing competition policies. These reforms will benefit WTO Members as much as they benefit Ukraine and the EU. Ukraine also has a high level of readiness gradually to converge on the EU’s trade policy. 

We encourage Ukraine to continue its significant reform work, and underline the importance of respecting obligations under international law in its legislative work, especially in the area of public procurement and consumption subsidies.

In the challenging geopolitical context of today’s world, maintaining and reinforcing the rules-based multilateral trading system is as relevant as ever. The EU therefore appreciates Ukraine’s commitment to the WTO and its active role in the Organisation. 

We commend Ukraine on its strong notification record and commitment to transparency. We also welcome Ukraine ratifying Phase 1 of the Fisheries Subsidies agreement and its participation in the e-Commerce Joint Initiative. We encourage Ukraine to join the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement in the near future. 

Finally, we would like to thank Ukraine for the responses to the questions we have previously submitted in writing. On behalf of the EU, I wish the delegation of Ukraine the utmost success during its Trade Policy Review.