The Kyiv Independent
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Financial Times: EU to impose tariffs on grain from Russia, Belarus.
The European Union is planning to impose tariffs on grain imports from Russia and Belarus to appease farmers and some member states, the Financial Times (FT) reported on March 19, citing people familiar with the plans.
EU imports of cereals, oil seeds, and their derivatives from Russia reached a record of 4 million metric tons in 2023, which is 1% of the total EU consumption, according to FT.
Poland and the Baltic states have called on the EU to restrict Russian and Belarusian imports of agricultural products and foodstuffs to protect domestic markets from an influx of cheap products and deprive Moscow of the relevant profits supporting its war machine.
The European Commission is expected to impose in the coming days a duty of 95 euros ($103) per ton on grain from Russia and Belarus, which would increase prices by at least 50%, killing demand, the people told FT.
The EU also reportedly plans to place tariffs of 50% on oilseeds and derived products.
This would be the first restriction on Russian food products since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.
The duty will be set at the maximum level allowed by the World Trade Organization’s rules, the FT sources said.
Russia may retaliate, but it has already banned most food imports from the EU, and many European agricultural companies have left the country in recent years.
Latvia decided to temporarily ban imports of grain and other foodstuffs from Russia and Belarus in February, making it the first EU country to take this measure.
General Staff: Russia has lost 465,054 troops in Ukraine since Feb.
Russia has also reportedly lost 7,268 tanks, 13,971 armored fighting vehicles, 16,019 vehicles and fuel tanks, 11,905 artillery systems, 1,049 multiple launch rocket systems, 775 air defense systems, 348 airplanes, 325 helicopters, 9,485 drones, 2...
Shmyhal: Ukraine has received $12 billion in international aid this year to help cover budget deficit.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced during a government meeting that Ukraine has received approximately $12 billion in external financing since the beginning of the year to help address the budget deficit.
Norway to allocate $13.7 million for Ukrainian Leopard tank maintenance in Poland
The Norwegian Ministry of Defense revealed plans to provide up to $13.7 million for maintaining Leopard 2A4 tanks at a Polish maintenance center.
Japan reaffirms commitments to support Ukrainian energy sector.
During a visit to Japan, a Ukrainian delegation led by Energy Minister German Galushchenko held discussions with Japanese officials regarding assistance in rebuilding Ukraine's energy sector.
Update: Russia's attack on Sumy Oblast kill 2, injure 5.
Russian forces attacked nine communities in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast on April 26, killing two and injuring five civilians, the regional administration reported. At least 85 explosions were reported over the past 24 hours.
Target Towns: Deep loss of faith in British politics.
The electoral battle in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, Sky News' Target Towns, will be fierce. The new pre-election pledges may not be enough. Labour will need an 11.7 point swing to win this newly merged constituency back from the Conservatives. Howeve...
Can Modi sustain India’s growth miracle? - DW News
India has posted enormous growth in the past decades and is projected to expand solidly in the years to come. But the economic prosperity hasn’t trickled down to everyone. Inequality remains high and young people in particular are struggling to fi...
Cicada noise causes South Carolina residents to call sheriff.
Emerging cicadas are so loud in one South Carolina county that residents are calling the sheriff's office asking why they can hear a "noise in the air that sounds like a siren, or a whine, or a roar." CBS News' John Dickerson has details. CBS News...
Sen. Josh Hawley: These students are a 'disgrace'
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., calls for action against anti-Israel protesters on campuses from New York to Los Angeles on 'Hannity.' #hannity #foxnews Subscribe to Fox News! Watch more Fox News Video: Watch Fox News Channel Live: FOX News Channel (FNC)...
Ukraine stops issuing passports to men of fighting age living abroad - Ukraine update.
Ukraine has stopped issuing new passports to some military-aged men living abroad as part of a bid to pressure them to return home to fight. The move is temporary and comes the day after the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry suspended consular services f...
Does Beyoncé Need Country?
And does Country need Beyoncé? The likely answer to both of those questions is no. But the discussion Beyoncé sparked seems to be the larger point of her new album, Cowboy Carter. Sidney Madden is a reporter for NPR Music, and has delved deep into...