Over 20,000 trucks remain blocked on Ukrainian-Polish border

More than 20,000 trucks remain blocked on both sides of the Ukrainian-Polish border, Ukrainian media outlets said, citing a statement circulated by Ukraine's Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development (Infrastructure Ministry) on social media.

"It is not only the Polish and Ukrainian economies that are suffering losses, but also the economies of other countries that cannot transport goods and are thus violating their contractual obligations," the ministry said, reiterating its readiness to help Polish colleagues resolve this problem, provide all necessary clarifications and hold meetings, Interfax reports.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Alexander Kubrakov discussed the blocking of the border by Polish protesters with Polish Minister of Infrastructure Andrzej Adamczyk, it said.

"Ukraine respects the right to protest and is ready for a constructive dialogue to resolve the situation. The blocking of the border by Polish protesters is disrupting the logistics chains, thus affecting the economy of both Ukraine and the European Union," media outlets quoted the ministry as saying on its website.

"The key point here is that any changes or cancellation of the liberalization agreement are not being discussed," it said.

Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sergei Derkach, for his part, said at a meeting with hauliers on Thursday that businesses that are sustaining losses because of the blockade of three crossings on the Ukrainian-Polish border could ask the Polish government to disperse the protesters by force, with the help of police and the Border Service, Ukrainian media said.

The situation remains critical as of today: entry and exit through the Yagodin-Dorohusk and Rava-Ruska-Hrebenne crossings on the Ukrainian-Polish border remain blocked, while a mere 20-30 trucks per day are passing through the Krakivets-Korczowa crossing, which is currently handling only humanitarian cargoes, Derkach said.

"It's almost nothing in comparison to the figures that were supposed to be here," he said.

The Ukrainian ministry has not yet received official demands from Polish truckers blocking the border crossings, he said.

"All statements and demands they have made publicly are addressed to the Polish government, not to Ukraine. We, for our part, have not received any specific demands either from Polish truckers or the government of Poland that the Ukrainian side will have to fulfill to get Polish truckers to stop the blockade," Derkach said.

Trucks' movement continues to be blocked on the Ukrainian-Polish border, Ukrainian media said, citing Ukraine's State Border Service.

"The electronic queue system alone is regulating trucks' exit [from Ukrainian territory] in the direction of Poland. As for the transportation of humanitarian aid, fuel, hazardous and perishable goods to Ukraine, there are no complications. Cars and buses are crossing the state border through these points in both directions as usual," the State Border Service said.