Five EU member states have reportedly raised concerns over a proposed Ukraine trade agreement under the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). According to a source present at the EU Agriculture Council meeting, the agreement is seen as a potential threat to European markets, with fears of destabilization and reduced competitiveness. This issue has sparked discussions among EU officials about the implications of deeper economic ties with Ukraine.
The DCFTA, which has been in effect since 2014, aims to liberalize trade and reduce tariffs between Ukraine and the EU. However, the new agreement is expected to increase market access for Ukrainian products, potentially impacting local producers in several EU nations. The concerns have not been officially confirmed by the EU Council, but the source’s remarks suggest growing unease about the trade deal’s broader economic consequences.
Industry representatives from affected member states have called for a reassessment of the agreement’s terms, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that protects European agricultural interests while maintaining positive trade relations with Ukraine. The situation highlights the complex trade-offs involved in expanding economic partnerships in a region marked by geopolitical tensions.