11 March 2026, 11:51
On March 11, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a resolution on the Appeal of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Poland, the governments of the Republic of Finland, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Latvia, and the Republic of Estonia regarding the initiation of a complete ban on export and import operations for legal entities (trade and transit of goods) with the russian federation and the republic of belarus (reg. No. 14324).
In its appeal, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine expresses its gratitude to Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia for their comprehensive support of Ukraine in countering russian aggression, as well as for their key role in strengthening Ukraine's resilience, providing economic and military support, and consolidating international efforts to restore stability in Europe.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasizes that despite the sanctions imposed, trade between the European Union and russia and belarus continues to be a significant source of income for these regimes, contributing to the financing of their military-industrial complexes. In particular, Latvian statistical agencies have calculated that in the first nine months of 2024, russia continued to rank fifth among Latvia's most important foreign trade partners. In the first ten months of 2025, Latvia exported goods worth a total of €941.522 million to russia and belarus. According to the European Union's statistical service, imports of fertilizers from russia to Poland in 2024 increased by almost 130% compared to 2022. Also, in the first 11 months of 2024, the EU sold goods worth €6.63 billion to belarus and purchased belarusian goods worth €1.235 billion. The largest buyers of belarusian goods were: Poland – €436.4 million; Lithuania – €188.8 million; Latvia – €177.5 million; Germany – €145.47 million. belarus imported the most from Poland (€2.07 billion).
In this regard, the Ukrainian Parliament calls on the governments of these countries to consider initiating a complete ban on export and import operations for legal entities, including trade and transit of goods, with the russian federation and belarus, as well as to enlist the support of the European Union in introducing appropriate restrictions in the next sanctions packages.
The resolution emphasizes that the introduction of a complete trade embargo on the eastern borders of the EU will be an important step in increasing economic pressure on the aggressor states and will contribute to strengthening the security of both Ukraine and Europe as a whole.
The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the European Union considered Draft Resolution No. 14324 at its meeting on February 4. The committee initiated a number of amendments and additions to it, and also decided to submit the draft resolution to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for consideration and to recommend its adoption as a basis and in its entirety, taking into account the committee's proposals.