The Belgian EU presidency has announced that the EU's permanent representatives have approved the extension of the "trade visa-free regime" for Ukraine, while making certain adjustments, in particular regarding protective restrictions, according to Ukrinform. A representative of the Belgian government noted that the negotiations demonstrated an "excellent spirit of compromise" between EU member states, which allowed them to reach agreement on a new text. It includes an addition that extends the period for activating the safeguard mechanism to the second half of 2021. The European Commission has also clarified the wording in its declaration.

Despite the agreement, the Belgian EU Presidency plans to resubmit the text to the European Parliament, as it differs from the version approved last week. The European Parliament is expected to provide feedback after the Easter holidays. At the same time, the Belgian presidency expressed confidence that the compromise reached is in line with the European Parliament's negotiating mandate and hopes to move the process forward quickly to ensure the timely extension of autonomous trade measures with Ukraine from June 6.

On March 19, the European Parliament and the European Council reached a preliminary agreement on the extension of trade liberalization measures for Ukraine amid the ongoing war started by russia.