Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Oleksandr Mishchenko held a meeting with the Chargé d’Affaires of Poland in Ukraine, Piotr Lukasiewicz, during which they discussed the situation around the “Dorohusk” border crossing on the Ukrainian-Polish border. According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the issues were raised due to the blocking of freight transport movement in the area by Polish protesters.
This is reported by Kyiv24
“The Ukrainian side called for comprehensive measures to prevent the blocking of transport routes between Ukraine and the Republic of Poland, which are vital for supporting the economy of our state and have significant humanitarian importance in the context of ongoing Russian armed aggression”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the Ukrainian side emphasized the need for a response regarding the blockade, which creates difficulties for the economy and humanitarian assistance. The Deputy Minister particularly stressed the unacceptability of the internal political situation in Poland influencing transport and economic ties between the countries. He urged the Polish side to ensure dialogue with the protesters to clarify the reasons for their actions and to eliminate the grounds for blocking the border.
Requests to the Polish Side and Possible Consequences of the Blockade
Mishchenko also proposed to establish direct contact between the relevant ministries of both countries for the prompt resolution of the issue. Official representatives of the Polish embassy in Kyiv have not yet commented on the results of the meeting.
Even before the negotiations, the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service warned of possible complications in the movement of trucks through the “Yahodyn-Dorohusk” crossing, with restrictions for humanitarian aid. Reports indicate that the protest actions of Polish carriers may last up to four months.
Last year, a large-scale farmers’ strike took place in Poland, organized by the “Solidarity” trade union. They blocked all border crossings with Ukraine and roads in certain regions, protesting against the import of Ukrainian agricultural products and against measures of European agricultural policy, particularly against the so-called “green deal,” which includes a number of environmental requirements.