Ukraine's largest steel producer has called on the European Union to exempt the country from tariffs imposed on imported steel, arguing the measures were applied without regard for Ukraine's wartime conditions.

Yuriy Ryzhenkov, chief executive of Metinvest, told the BBC that the EU's recent decision to cap duty‑free steel imports at 18.3 million tonnes per year was unfair and had been introduced without consideration for the country's situation. He said he would like to see a specific carve‑out that allows Ukrainian steel to continue entering the EU market.

A European Commission spokesperson said the bloc had taken Ukraine's difficult circumstances into account when shaping its steel policy. The EU has introduced restrictions aimed at protecting domestic producers, limiting tax‑free steel imports to 18.3 million tonnes annually, a 47% cut from 2024 levels. While the EU‑Ukraine free‑trade agreement remains in place, it does not prevent the EU from adopting separate protective measures.

Ryzhenkov warned that the restrictions could reduce Ukrainian steel exports to the EU by 50–60%. The EU acknowledged that Ukraine's allocated quota is lower than in previous years, but emphasized that the country remains a key steel supplier despite the ongoing conflict.

Before Russia's full‑scale invasion in 2022, metallurgy and mining contributed roughly 10% of Ukraine's national income and accounted for about one‑third of its exports, with the EU as the primary market. The industry has been hit hard by repeated Russian bombardments; all Ukrainian steel mills have sustained damage since the war began, and in September production fell to zero for the first time in nearly 150 years.

Metinvest reported that nearly 800 of its workers have been killed since the conflict started. Ryzhenkov said the company has reinforced shelters at its plants to protect staff during air raids, but noted that it is impossible to fully shield a steel mill from damage. He warned that the coming winter will be one of the most challenging for the sector, especially as logistics to alternative markets are limited and the EU market is being reduced by about 60%.

The steel industry is a cornerstone of Ukraine's economy, and the continued curtailment of access to European markets threatens the survival of many producers amid the ongoing war.