EU steel tariffs hit Ukraine, Metinvest CEO urges changes
The boss of one of Ukraine's biggest steel companies has called on the European Union to drop import restrictions on products made from the country, arguing it has been “bundled together” in measures aimed at curbing cheap imports from the likes of China.
Yuriy Ryzhenkov, chief executive of Metinvest, said the recently-imposed tariffs on imported steel were “unfair” and had been put in place “without any consideration for the situation Ukraine is in.” He added he wanted at least a carve‑out so Ukraine could continue accessing the EU market.
A spokesperson for the European Commission said the EU “took into account the difficult situation” of Ukraine when deciding its steel policy. The bloc has recently imposed a cap of 18.3 million tonnes per year on tax‑free steel imports—down 47 % from 2024 levels. While some country‑specific quotas exist, the overall aim is to protect member‑state firms from cheap imports from China and Turkey.
Despite a free‑trade agreement between the EU and Ukraine, the FTA does not stop the bloc from adding separate trade protection measures. “Ukraine has been bundled together into those measures without any consideration for the situation Ukraine is in,” Ryzhenkov said, pointing to the war with Russia. “Access to the European market is crucial for survival,” he added.
Metinvest estimates that its steel exports to the EU could ultimately fall by about 50–60 %. The EU confirmed a specific quota for Ukrainian steel but acknowledged it was at a level lower than in previous years. A spokesperson added the EU had “offered compensations” to its largest suppliers, including Ukraine.
Steel products are a cornerstone of Ukraine’s economy. Before the 2022 invasion, metallurgy and mining accounted for roughly 10 % of national income and a third of exports, with the EU as the top customer. The industry has suffered from continuous Russian bombardment; all Ukrainian steel mills have been bombarded at points, and strikes intensified recently. At one point in September, the country produced “no single tonne of steel” for the first time in about 150 years.
Nearly 800 Metinvest workers have been killed since the war began. The company has improved covered areas at its mills to shelter workers during air raids, but Ryzhenkov cautioned that it is impossible to shield an entire steel mill. He warned the coming winter would likely be one of the hardest in the company’s history, as logistics and market access are severely constrained.
