World · Europe · 12 hrs ago
Ukraine backs Baltic call to ban Russian grain transit through EU
Ukraine’s Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi has welcomed a proposal by Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia to ban Russian grain from crossing EU territory.
The three Baltic countries want the EU to prevent grain taken from occupied territory from being exported through the bloc.
They have also called for stronger EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes to help Ukraine ship grain to markets.
Ukraine says Russia’s blockade of the Black Sea is limiting its agricultural exports and reducing tax revenue.
The disruption is also pushing global grain prices higher and putting supplies at risk for countries in North Africa and the Middle East that rely heavily on Ukrainian grain.
The Baltic leaders are due to raise the proposal at an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels on Oct.
14, which President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend.
It is not yet known when the EU could agree to or implement a ban.
Ukraine’s agriculture minister welcomed a Baltic-led push to ban Russian grain from transiting the European Union.
The prime ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia asked the EU to put the proposed ban on its agenda.
Their letter also calls for action against grain they say was stolen from occupied territory and exported through the EU.
The letter urges the bloc to strengthen its Solidarity Lanes with Ukraine, which help move Ukrainian grain to markets.
The timing of any ban remains unknown.
- Who
- Ukraine’s Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi welcomed the initiative by the prime ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
- What
- The Baltic leaders are pushing the EU to ban Russian grain transit through the bloc.
- When
- Vysotskyi welcomed the initiative on Oct. 11, 2026. Lithuania’s prime minister called for sanctions and a transit ban on Oct. 8.
- Where
- The proposed ban concerns transit through the European Union.
- Why
- The Baltic leaders want to prevent grain from occupied territory from being exported via the EU and to limit Russia’s ability to offset the economic consequences of its aggression.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
It is important to see this initiative now being advanced at the EU level
The EU must not become a channel through which Russia compensates for the economic consequences of its own aggression
Lithuania’s prime minister called for EU sanctions on Russian grain and a ban on its transit.
The three Baltic prime ministers sent a joint letter calling for the EU to address Russian grain transit.
Taras Vysotskyi thanked the Baltic leaders for advancing the initiative at EU level.
The three prime ministers are due to attend an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels, where Volodymyr Zelensky is also expected.
Vysotskyi is expected to attend a meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Luxembourg.
- Baltic leaders
- Prime ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia
- Ukraine’s agriculture minister
- Taras Vysotskyi
- Joint letter
- Sent Oct. 9, 2026
- EU leaders’ summit
- Brussels, Oct. 14, 2026
- EU agriculture ministers’ meeting
- Luxembourg, Oct. 26, 2026
Sources
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