Political scientist Suzdaltsev assessed the situation with grain: Zelensky decided to quarrel with Poland

What is the West’s plan for the grain corridor

Zelensky criticized his Polish colleagues who, after the suspension of the grain deal, continue to maintain a ban on the transportation of grain from Ukraine by land. The Ukrainian president hopes that Europe will lift the blocking of grain exports through Eastern European countries, which should last at least until September 15. What will the West decide and will a conflict between Kiev and its European neighbors be expected against this background?

On July 19, 2023, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia asked the EU authorities to extend the ban on the import of grain from Ukraine by land. This restriction was introduced back in May at the request of local farmers. Poland has promised to independently extend the ban after September 15 if the EU does not. In turn, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal called the plans of the Polish authorities an unfriendly and populist measure, which, according to him, would harm the Ukrainian economy and world food security.

Political scientist Andrey Suzdaltsev in an interview with MK, he told his point of view on the situation.

– Will there be a conflict over the land grain corridor?

There have already been such conflicts. The first conflict was over the poor quality of the grain. Anyone who closely followed the export of Ukrainian grain to Europe, primarily through Poland and by sea as part of a grain deal, could pay attention to one interesting fact. Good grain, of high quality, went by sea. There was fodder corn and food wheat, seeds and sunflower oil. This is a very expensive item. Through Poland, the grain was such that even the birds did not want to peck at it.

– Why was it so?

– By sea, through the Odessa ports, grain belonging to large corporations, primarily American ones, which own a large amount of land in Ukraine, was exported. They can afford to use good machinery, fertilizers and the like. And grain went through Poland, which was affected by the shortage of fuel and fertilizers. The main focus was on chemistry.

– Now good grain will have to be exported by land?

– Now the prospect of a grain deal has really closed. They are waiting for this land corridor to open again and all the grain will go to Europe. There is another aspect here. In March of this year, due to Ukrainian grain in Europe, prices fell by 30%. During this period, in early spring, grain is considered the most expensive. It was an incredible blow to farmers in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Germany and other countries. There people work for sheer interest. If you managed to earn 3-4% per year, then this is a good year, and then immediately fall by 30%.

– So what will the West say to Ukraine now?

– Now the West will not say anything to Kyiv. Do not upset and do not reassure. He will say: “Let’s live until September, and then we’ll see.” Of course, the West understands that the scam with Ukrainian grain is connected with the situation at the front. They see the situation with this strange counteroffensive. The West will need to understand what is happening with Ukraine.

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