Spanish and French farmers blocked roads at the border between Spain and France to protest against unfair competition and demand better conditions ahead of the European Parliament elections. Using tractors, they obstructed major highways, highlighting issues such as rising costs, excessive regulations, and cheap food imports. The protests come after the EU extended subsidy allowances and adjusted environmental policies to support the agricultural sector.
Polish farmers temporarily suspend the border blockade on the Zosin-Ustyluh checkpoint on the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, allowing the passage of cargo and passenger vehicles. The protests, organized by Polish farmers, began in November 2023 due to concerns about Ukrainian farm imports undercutting local farmers. The intensity of the protests has led to several grain spillage incidents, and Ukrainian President Zelensky called for a meeting with Polish officials to de-escalate the situation, which was rejected by Polish Prime Minister Tusk.
Polish farmers' protests over unfair competition from Ukrainian agricultural products have led to a border blockade and grain spillage, angering Ukraine. Kyiv has called on the European Commission to take action, stating that the protests risk damaging its war effort against Russia. Ukrainian hauliers have started a counter-demonstration at the border, and the situation has strained ties between the two countries, despite Poland's support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Polish truckers have lifted their blockade of checkpoints on the border with Ukraine after reaching an agreement with their government, suspending the protest until March 1 while further talks take place. The blockade had caused delays in goods reaching Europe and strained the Ukrainian economy, with the resumption of traffic at the previously blocked border crossings providing relief. The truckers had been protesting what they saw as unfair competition from Ukrainian counterparts, impacting their profits.
Polish truckers have agreed to end their blockade of the border with Ukraine after talks between the two countries' governments. The blockade, which began on September 17 in protest against Covid-19 restrictions, had caused significant disruption to trade and traffic. The decision to lift the blockade comes after negotiations aimed at resolving the issues that led to the protest, signaling a diplomatic resolution to the tensions between Poland and Ukraine.
Polish truckers are set to resume blocking the Dorohusk-Jagodzin border crossing with Ukraine, demanding the scrapping of the EU-Ukraine agreement on trucking and the restoration of the old permit system. The blockades at three other crossings have been ongoing since November. The protests are also supported by Polish farmers who want to keep cheap Ukrainian grain out of Polish markets. The European Commission has been unable to resolve the issue, and talks between Polish and Ukrainian ministers are scheduled for Wednesday. The blockades have caused a long line of trucks waiting to cross into Ukraine, affecting both countries' economies.
Ukraine has started transporting lorries to Poland by rail to bypass the blockade of the land border caused by Polish truckers' protests against EU access for Ukrainian lorries. The rail shipments will be made regularly using modernized platforms, while the trucks will continue their journey by road. Ukrainian authorities estimate that around 3,500 lorries are currently blocked on the Polish side of the border, and negotiations with the protesters have not yet yielded an agreement. The main demand of the Polish hauliers is to halt permit-free access for Ukrainian truckers to the European Union.
Polish truck drivers have been blocking access roads to border crossings with Ukraine for over a month, causing delays in delivering essential supplies to the war-torn country. Ukrainian charities and companies supplying the military warn that the blockade is hindering the delivery of components for drones and other battlefield equipment, potentially giving the Russian army an advantage. The truckers argue that their livelihoods are at stake due to Ukrainian truckers undercutting their business. The situation highlights the challenges of integrating Ukraine into the EU and has led to resentment among Polish truckers and farmers. The new pro-EU government in Poland offers hope for a resolution, but no quick solution is in sight.
Polish truck drivers have been blocking roads to the Ukrainian border for a month, causing delays in delivering essential supplies to the battlefront. The blockade is a protest against competition from Ukrainian truckers, who they claim are undercutting their business due to relaxed European Union transport rules. The dispute shows no signs of resolution, with authorities paying little attention to the issue. Ukrainian authorities are also fighting against plans for voting in illegally annexed territories in the upcoming Russian election, and they are calling for international sanctions on those involved. Additionally, Ukraine is continuing its efforts to remove Soviet-era monuments as part of its campaign to eliminate Russian influence.
Polish truck drivers have been blocking the border with Ukraine for over a month, causing significant delays in delivering essential supplies to the war-torn country. Ukrainian charities and companies supplying the military warn that the blockade is hindering the delivery of drones, ammunition, tourniquets, and other critical equipment. The truckers argue that their livelihoods are at stake due to Ukrainian truckers undercutting their business. The situation highlights the challenges of integrating Ukraine into the EU and has led to resentment among Polish truckers and farmers. The blockade is causing economic losses for Ukraine and is seen as benefiting Russia's interests. Negotiations are ongoing, but a resolution is not yet in sight.
Polish truck drivers have been blocking the border with Ukraine for over a month, causing significant delays in delivering essential supplies to the war-torn country. Ukrainian charities and companies supplying the military warn that the blockade is hindering the delivery of ammunition, tourniquets, and drones, which are crucial for defending against Russian forces. The truckers argue that their livelihoods are at stake due to Ukrainian truckers undercutting their business. The situation highlights the challenges of integrating Ukraine into the EU and is causing resentment among Polish truckers and farmers who are losing business to lower-cost Ukrainian goods. The blockade is also impacting the battlefield, with pickup trucks and tourniquets needed for military operations being stuck at the border. Ukrainian officials warn that the protest is adding more stress to their economy and serving Russia's interests.
Ukraine has found a creative solution to the weeks-long blockade at the Polish border, which has hindered the flow of military aid to the war-torn country. The first train carrying blockaded supplies crossed the border between Ukraine and Poland, bypassing the logjams and delays at border crossing points. While this provides some relief, it is not a permanent solution and sacrifices other goods transportation. The blockade has caused significant economic losses for Ukraine and delays in military aid. Polish truckers have been protesting against Ukrainian truckers' permit-free access to the EU, arguing that it undermines their competitiveness. The EU waived the need for permits for Ukrainian truckers due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, but the waiver is set to expire next June.
Slovak road hauliers have joined Polish truckers in blocking the main border crossing point with Ukraine, demanding the European Union reintroduce a permit system for Ukrainian competitors. Both Polish and Slovak truckers argue that Ukrainian peers offer cheaper prices and transport goods within the EU, rather than just between the bloc and Ukraine. They are calling for the reinstatement of limited permits for Ukrainian companies to operate in the EU and for European truckers to enter Ukraine. The blockade is set to continue indefinitely, pending discussions at an EU transport ministers meeting.
The European Commission has condemned the blockade at the Polish-Ukrainian border by Polish truckers and farmers, warning of potential legal action against the Polish government. The blockade, which has been ongoing since November 6, has left thousands of Ukrainian truck drivers stranded and caused safety concerns. Polish protesters demand the re-imposition of pre-war rules on Ukrainian truckers, while also seeking measures to prevent Belarusian and Russian haulers from evading international sanctions. The changes introduced by the European Union's "solidarity lanes" have disrupted competition, leading to a significant market share shift in favor of Ukrainian truckers. The Polish government, which is not responsible for the border restrictions, has called for dialogue to resolve the dispute. The European Commission has expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of involvement from Polish authorities and threatened to intervene with an infringement procedure. Ukraine is open to finding a compromise but insists on providing food and emergency services to its stranded drivers. Slovak truckers have also threatened to join the blockade unless action is taken to decrease competition from Ukrainian haulers.
Truck queues are building up at the Ukraine-Poland border as Polish truckers continue to block crossings in protest against what they perceive as unfair competition from Ukrainian firms. The blockade is the latest in a series of economic clashes between the traditionally close allies, with relations deteriorating in recent months. Around 1,700 trucks are estimated to be waiting to enter Ukraine, causing traffic complications since November 6. The Polish protesters are demanding the reinstatement of entry permits for Ukrainian rivals, while Ukraine argues that the blockade harms the interests of both countries.
