BRUSSELS, March 22. /TASS/. The European Commission has started preparations for imposing tariffs on grain imports from Belarus and Russia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
"We have prepared a proposal to increase tariffs on Russian and Belarusian imports of cereals, oil seeds and derived products," she told reporters after the first day of the European Council meeting in Brussels.
"There are several good reasons for making this proposal. It will prevent Russian grain from destabilizing the EU market in these products. It will stop Russia from using the revenues from the export of these goods to the European Union," von der Leyen added.
Meanwhile, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo told reporters that the issue of tariffs will be discussed on Friday, the second day of the European Union summit.
Besides, the heads of EU states and governments are also expected to address domestic problems, caused by an inflow of cheap Ukrainian grain.