Zelensky's request to neighbours

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania to allow Ukrainian grain to pass through their territory to buyers in other countries, according to Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar. Magyar gave that account in an interview with RTL, which Reuters relayed on Saturday, 17 October. The two leaders met in Brussels on Friday, 16 October, and Magyar spoke to RTL on his way home from the EU summit there.

Magyar said he told Zelensky that Hungary would have no objection if the shipments only crossed Hungarian territory. He also said a tested transit procedure already exists, one used three or four years ago at the start of the war. The model Kyiv is now seeking echoes arrangements proposed shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Corn by sealed rail wagons

Zelensky also raised the idea of moving corn to Western Europe by rail in sealed wagons, which Magyar said would greatly help Ukraine. Magyar said the two leaders agreed to continue work at ministerial level, with particular attention to further improving the situation of minorities in their countries.

Why the Black Sea route is blocked

Ukraine is among the world's largest producers of wheat, corn and sunflower seed. About 90% of exports of these crops travel by sea across the Black Sea, according to the figures cited in coverage of the request. Russia's attacks have brought agricultural exports from Ukraine's Black Sea ports to an almost complete halt. Ukraine sells grain to the EU under a strict quota system. Poland and Hungary have blocked grain imports from Ukraine to protect their own farm sectors, but transit through those countries is possible on set conditions.

Maize harvest under pressure

The request comes as the EU's corn crop is under strain. In late August the European Commission estimated the Union's corn harvest at 50.1 million tonnes, close to its lowest level in about two decades and nearly one fifth below the average of the previous three years. Farmers in France were among those hit hardest by record temperatures and drought.

Hungary's shifting line on Kyiv

Magyar has taken a less confrontational stance toward Kyiv than his predecessor Viktor Orbán. He has repeatedly said Hungary will not send weapons to Ukraine, and he has pressed for progress on the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine. On Friday he assured Zelensky of his full solidarity in the face of what he called inhuman Russian aggression against Ukraine.