The European Commission has adopted a new package of transitional measures in response to the cancellation of the “trade visa-free regime” with Ukraine, which raises questions about Ukraine’s future access to the EU markets
This was announced by European Commission spokesperson Balázs Ujvári. According to him, on May 22, 2025, the European Commission approved a detailed list of measures designed to ensure a smooth transition and minimize negative impacts on Ukrainian exports. The new rules will enter into force on June 6, 2025, just a few weeks after the completion of the relevant autonomous trade measures previously adopted for Ukraine. According to official information, these measures will be implemented automatically after the expiration of the "trade visa-free regime," which has been in effect since 2022. These autonomous trade rules provided Ukraine with a preferential export regime to the EU, reducing tariffs and opening additional opportunities for Ukrainian producers and farmers. The EC spokesperson emphasized that the adopted act was approved by the relevant working committee and has already received official approval. Consequently, the new measures will automatically come into force on June 6, 2025. This means Ukrainian companies and farms will need to prepare for changes in customs regulations, which could complicate or alter the conditions of their exports to EU member countries. Recall that since 2022, the EU has applied autonomous trade measures to Ukraine, granting Ukrainian goods a special status and allowing them to be shipped to Europe with minimal or no tariffs. These preferences will now be canceled or significantly restricted, creating new challenges for Ukrainian businesses, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing. This decision has sparked broad discussion among Ukrainian exporters and business representatives, who fear that the conditions for selling their products on European markets may worsen. The Ukrainian government has already expressed concern and called for the interests of domestic producers to be considered during the coordination of the new trade rules. Overall, the measures adopted by the European Commission represent an important step in defining Ukraine’s cooperation with the EU in the context of trade relations and highlight a shift in approaches to setting export conditions within European integration. Ukrainian companies are advised to carefully analyze future opportunities and prepare for the new conditions of operating in the European market.