Polish protesters block all six checkpoints with Ukraine

Over 2,400 trucks now waiting to enter Ukraine. At most checkpoints, trucks are only allowed into Ukraine.

Mar 3, 2024 - 08:20

Polish protesters block all six checkpoints with Ukraine

Polish protesters continue to block all six crossing checkpoints at the Ukrainian-Polish border for cargo vehicles, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service Andriy Demchenko said on TV maraphon.

Polish protesters have been obstructing the Ukrainian border since November 2023, demanding the return of permits for Ukrainian carriers and tougher EU transportation requirements. Their demonstrations have included drastic measures such as dumping grain destined for other markets from a freight train.

According to Demchenko, Polish farmers continue the movement blocking for freight transport in the directions of the Yahodyn, Ustyluh, Uhryniv, Rava-Ruska, Shehyni and Krakivets border checkpoints.

As of this morning, over 2,400 freight vehicles are waiting in queues on the Polish side to go to Ukraine in all these directions. About 90 trucks crossed the border in both directions at the Shehyni checkpoint over the past day, Demchenko said.

The largest queue is at the Krakivets and Yahodyn border crossing points. At the Yahodyn checkpoint, the largest infrastructure route where 1,200-1,400 trucks can cross the border in both directions, trucks are allowed only in the direction of Ukraine.

About 50 trucks crossed the border in the direction of Ukraine at the Yahodyn checkpoint, according to Demchenko. Only vehicles are allowed to travel across this checkpoint.

“No trucks are crossing the border towards Poland, as they are not allowed through,” Demchenko said.

Polish protesters reportedly do not block traffic for other categories of transport, in particular, passenger cars and buses.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a recent statement in Prague that Poland might expand the national embargo on Ukrainian grain imports to encompass additional products.

In September 2023, despite the European Commission’s decision against extending the embargo, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia took unilateral action to restrict Ukrainian grain imports, allowing only its transit to other countries through their territories.

The EU banned Ukrainian agricultural products in May 2023 as a temporary measure “to avoid market distortions.” However, the EU lifted the ban on Ukrainian agricultural products on 15 September 2023 after Ukraine agreed to introduce legal measures within 30 days to avoid grain surges and ensure fair competition.

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