In brief
The CEO of Ukraine’s largest steel company, Metinvest, has urged the EU to lift restrictive import quotas that were originally aimed at China but now hinder Ukrainian exports. Ryzhenkov argues that the measures ignore Ukraine’s wartime hardships and could slash steel sales by 50–60%. He stresses the importance of the EU market for Ukraine’s survival, noting that recent bombings have already halted production almost entirely. The EU disputes the claim, saying Ukraine has a guaranteed quota but at a lower level. The story highlights how trade policy intersects with wartime realities.
Metinvest Chief Executive Yuriy Ryzhenkov has called for the European Union to exempt Ukrainian steel from its newly‑announced import quotas. He argues that the measures, originally designed to curb cheap imports from China and Turkey, have been applied to Ukraine without accounting for the ongoing war and its impact on production.
Ryzhenkov told the BBC the EU’s quota limits could cut Ukrainian steel exports by up to 50 – 60 percent, and that the only viable market for Ukrainian steel lies in the EU. He added that 800 Metinvest workers have been killed and that recent bombardments have “intensified significantly,” even leading to a brief halt in production in September.
The European Commission maintains that Ukraine is granted a specific quota, though the amount is said “lower than in the past.” It claims it has taken Ukraine’s war situation into account, offering compensations to its largest suppliers. Ryzhenkov disputes this, insisting the policy treats Ukraine the same as other importers and does not protect a war‑affected economy.
Ukraine’s metallurgy sector has traditionally accounted for roughly 10 % of national income and one‑third of exports, with the EU remaining the main buyer. Since Russia’s full‑scale invasion, every steel mill in the country has faced aerial attacks, creating severe logistical and safety challenges.
Ryzhenkov warned that the upcoming winter may be the toughest the industry has faced. With logistics limited to the EU and an export reduction of 60 percent, he stated the survival of the sector depends on the EU lifting its restrictions.
For further reading, explore related topics on the war in Ukraine, the steel industry, and EU trade policy.
