Ukraine is actively seeking an agreement with Poland's new government this week to put an end to the ongoing truck blockades at their shared border crossings, announced Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister. Polish truckers had recently resumed their blockade of key border crossings, demanding the reinstatement of a system that requires Ukrainian companies to obtain permits for operations within the European Union (EU).
Polish drivers had been blocking multiple border crossings with Ukraine since November 6, with the major Yahodyn-Dorohusk crossing temporarily lifted due to concerns raised by a local mayor who feared it would jeopardize jobs. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov of Ukraine, who also serves as the Minister of Infrastructure, Restoration, and Communities, expressed optimism about reaching a mutual understanding this week during discussions with Poland's new Infrastructure Minister, Dariusz Klimczak, in Warsaw.
The primary focus of their meeting centered on unblocking the border, as several major crossings were completely obstructed, resulting in only a minimal number of trucks departing from Yahodyn in recent days. Kubrakov announced that representatives from the governments of Ukraine and Poland would convene for another meeting in Kyiv before the week's end.
Polish truckers have voiced concerns over losing business to Ukrainian companies offering competitive pricing for their services while transporting goods within the EU, rather than solely between the EU and Ukraine. Kubrakov addressed these concerns, stating, "We presented key figures and analytical data on freight traffic by Ukrainian and Polish carriers, which show that the problems that the protesters are talking about do not actually exist."
Ukrainian transport analysts estimate that approximately 3,900 trucks are waiting on the Polish side of the border for permission to enter Ukraine. Poland's newly appointed Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, has expressed the government's commitment to swiftly resolving the truck drivers' protest at the Ukrainian border.
