Trucks from Poland to Ukraine are now being delivered by rail: what is happening at the blocked border. Video

Amid the blockade of the Ukrainian border by Polish far-right activists, some cargo is being redirected by rail, and some trucks are also crossing the border by rail. This information was confirmed by Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ). In general, the situation at the border remains critical, and Ukraine's losses are increasing.

As of December 7, Polish customs officers are inspecting a test container train loaded with 23 Ukrainian trucks. This was announced by Valerii Tkachov, deputy director of the commercial work department of UZ, at a meeting with agricultural exporters, Interfax-Ukraine reports. According to Tkachov, customs officials explain the delay by the need to coordinate the dimensions of the cargo and the availability of fuel in the trucks.

A representative of UZ confirmed that Ukrainian trucks loaded on containerized platforms are moving by rail. Thus, Ukrainian exporters are trying to solve the problem of crossing the Ukrainian-Polish border.

"Right now we have a loaded train at the crossing with Hrubieszów. We already have 23 boxcars with trucks loaded... We will try to resolve these issues shortly so that it can pass. As soon as this test train passes and everything goes well, we will launch it on a massive scale," Tkachov said.

In addition, Ukraine will fulfill the conditions for unblocking the borders with Poland, which it could have agreed to. Thus, Deputy Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure Serhii Derkach said during the telethon that the Ukrainian side was technically ready to open new lanes for empty trucks in the ECHR. The speaker added that Ukraine promised to fulfill this requirement, but it is possible only after the border is opened. The official said that Ukrainian officials have already informed their colleagues from Poland and the European Commission about the measures taken.

"According to the latest agreements with the European Commission and the Polish government, we have developed a number of measures that should actually satisfy the protesters and stop the protest. In fact, these measures have all been implemented," Derkach said. The protesters are also demanding to stop the transport visa-free regime and return the permits for Ukrainian carriers. Ukraine cannot agree to this condition.

Exports fell by 40% in November, according to the Customs Service. Overall, the volume decreased by 9.2 million tons. Freight transport accounted for 783 thousand tons. At the same time, Ukraine's total imports in November fell by about a fifth.  And if the situation is not resolved soon, the strike at the border will cost Ukraine 1 percentage point of GDP growth.

In addition, the blocking of the Ukrainian border by Polish carriers disrupts contracts for 2024 and may also lead to problems with fuel and lubricants. And, accordingly, if we are now unable to deliver products on time, many counterparties with whom producers had relations may renegotiate (contracts) with someone else," explained Denys Marchuk, Deputy Chairman of the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council.

"Given that the blockade is being carried out by marginal political forces that do not represent the majority in these countries, I am convinced that we should not play politics against this background, but rather comply with the law that allows free movement of vehicles through the EU," the chairman summarized. Danylo Hetmantsev (Servant of the People), Chairman of the Parliament Committee on Finance, Taxation and Customs Policy, during a telethon.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the European Commission believes that the Polish authorities are not acting proactively enough to resolve the situation on the Ukrainian-Polish border and "to comply with the law there." The EU allows for measures to be taken against those who do not follow the rules and do not abide by the law.

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