KYIV, UKRAINE — Ukraine is planning to ban imports from Moldova in response to a potential ban on Ukrainian grain announced on May 6, the Kyiv Independent reported.

Moldova plans to join a month-long ban started by several European Union countries on some Ukrainian grains, while allowing their transit, the country’s agriculture minister said after a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart.

Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture Taras Kachka said any restriction by Moldova would be viewed as an “extremely unfriendly step” and would be followed with an immediate ban on all imports from Moldova.

The European Commission on May 2 officially banned the import of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seeds to “alleviate logistical bottlenecks” related to these goods in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia until June 5. The EC said the measures are part of the overall support package that it is putting forward and will be complemented with a financial support for farmers in the five member states.

These countries pledged to cancel their unilateral limits on these and other Ukrainian products and are still obligated to transport the goods elsewhere.

Russia’s invasion in February 2022 blocked Ukrainian Black Sea ports, forcing Ukraine to export through neighboring countries, primarily Poland.

Large amounts of cheap Ukrainian grain moved into Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria, impacting domestic markets and upsetting local farmers.