The Council of the European Union reports that it has adopted a regulation significantly increasing tariffs on imports into the EU of certain products from Russia and Belarus.

This follows a proposal presented by the European Commission on March 22. The measures are intended to eliminate imports into the EU of grains, oilseeds, and derivative products, as well as dried peas and beet pulp pellets, without affecting exports to third countries and maintaining global food security.

The increased tariffs also apply to Belarus, given its close political and economic ties with Russia.

The new tariffs are intended to prevent the destabilization of the EU market and protect the EU agricultural community, address the issue of illegal Ukrainian grain exports mislabeled as Russian, and disrupt revenue flows that could finance Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.

The regulation comes in response to Russia's role as a global grain exporter and its use of food exports as a geopolitical tool.

The EU stands firmly with Ukraine and its people and will continue to strongly support Ukraine's economy, society, armed forces, and future reconstruction.

Following the Council's adoption today, the tariff implementation regulation will take effect on July 1.

Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade, stated: "By imposing higher tariffs, we are taking decisive action to prevent the destabilization of our agricultural sector by Russian imports, while protecting Ukrainian exports from being falsely labeled as Russian exports."