Your questions needed for the next episode of our podcast ‘This Week in Ukraine’

The primary question that I have about grain exports is the progress Ukraine and its neighboring countries are having in modernizing their transportation infrastructure. As I understand it, trade between Ukraine and the EU was limited before the invasion. Because most bulk goods left Ukraine via the Black Sea ports, the Rail system was not converted from the Soviet gauge to the European gauge. This results in inefficient transfer of goods between rail wagons at the border. Customs and border guards were corrupt and inefficient. I understand less than 1/3 of customs charges went to fund the government. The Other 2/3 were avoided by smugglers or paid to the border personnel in bribes. Pesticides and other chemical usage are not always in line with European standards. Agricultural goods often pass through many 'owners,' so it is difficult to validate that goods are compliant to European standards. I am curious about what progress has been made in these areas and what plans are being made for future improvements. Sorry if I sound negative. I am interesting in progress to promote integration with the EU not dwelling on problems of the past. But, progress requires transparently addressing challenges than can be improved... even if they are uncomfortable.

If you can think from a completely neutral perspective, are you able to find justifiable reason behind the import bans?

The challenge is that nations of the European Union each have individual agricultural sectors, which are often subsidized to ensure that the countries can be self-sufficient in terms of food production. This has been a thorn in the EU's side since its creation. Farmers are often a large voting block, so national politicians want to avoid angering them. The recent flood of agricultural products into the European market has significantly reduced prices. The effect has been a drop in profit for the farmers in neighboring countries. Whenever anyone's livelihood is threatened, they tend to get upset. On the other hand consumers like cheap food in stores, so they tend to like inexpensive agricultural good coming into the country. This is just something that will take time to resolve. It is getting so much attention because the current Polish government, which is generally very supportive of Ukraine, has farmers as its base of support.

I don't understand how grain exports could be tearing the EU apart. Isn't Ukrainian grain very much wanted and needed in many parts of the world?

Great! I will watch either live or afterwards.

The statement was made that Ukraine received 98% of what it asked for in military equipment. First question: Is that true? Second: If true, does the 2% left leave out some extremely important equipment like F-16s, ATACMs missiles, etc. which might be a small % of the total equipment but is worth far more than the % indicates? Although not a grain question maybe you can provide thoughts on this elsewhere.