EU to Impose Tariffs on Russian and Belarusian Agricultural Products and Fertilizers to Reduce Russia's War Funding

The European Union Council has agreed to impose tariffs on all agricultural products imported from Russia and Belarus that are not currently subject to such tariffs. This includes certain fertilizers. The measure aims to diminish Russia's export revenues, thereby limiting its capacity to finance the war in Ukraine. The proposal will be negotiated with the European Parliament. Once implemented, all Russian agricultural imports will face tariffs. Currently, about 15% of EU agricultural imports from Russia are not taxed. The EU will continue to waive tariffs and standards for agricultural imports from Ukraine. The proposal also targets nitrogen-based fertilizer imports from Russia, which constituted over 25% of the EU's total imports of this product in 2023.