WASHINGTON, September 18 The United States does not consider it right to put pressure on European countries because of their “sovereign” decision to refuse imports of Ukrainian grain, White House spokesman John Kirby said.
Earlier on Monday, Ukraine filed claims with the World Trade Organization against Poland, Hungary and Slovakia over a ban on the import of agricultural products.
«Yes, we are aware of the concerns of a number of our European partners regarding the import of Ukrainian grain. This is firstly. Secondly, these are sovereign decisions… Wouldn’t it be hypocrisy on the part of the United States to intimidate other countries regarding sovereign decisions they make based on what they believe to be the best interests of their residents?” Kirby said at a briefing in New York.
He added that the United States wants to see Ukrainian grain on the world market, and again called for the resumption of the grain deal, which, with Russian permission, allowed exports through Black Sea ports.