Ukraine may introduce protective duties for sugar exported from Belarus in case of prolongation of restrictions for export of Ukrainian sugar by the Russian Agriculture Ministry, Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk has said.

"Retaliatory measures in relation to Russia are taken, but we have free trade with Belarus and since it is in the Customs Union, we most likely will have to introduce protective duties for Belarusian sugar," he said.

The Minister also underscored that in case of preservation of restrictions for import of Ukrainian sugar by Russia this issue will be put for discussion at the level of heads of state.

"This is contrary to provisions about the free trade and I do not think that it gives possibility to improve turnover with Russia," the minister added.

Prysiazhniuk underscored that Russia and Belarus are in the Customs Union and "sugar from Russia may freely go to us from Belarus." At the same time, the minister added that sugar is not coming to the Ukrainian market."

Earlier, the Russian Agriculture Ministry proposed to prolong till the end of 2020 withdrawal of sugar from the regime of free trade with Ukraine, the term of which expires December 31, 2012.

In particular, for a period of May-July 2012, it is proposed to preserve the existing minimum duty level for import of raw sugar to the amount of USD 140/ton and following December 31, 2012, to prolong withdrawal of sugar from a regime of free trade with Ukraine till the end of 2020.

Ukrinform