Hungarian truckers announce new blockade on Ukrainian border

This information comes from a statement by the Hungarian Union of Carriers, as reported by Espreso.

The Hungarian transporters' union has declared a protest starting on December 11 near the Záhony-Chop checkpoint. They are urging the reversal of the liberalization of transportation for the Ukrainian side, aiming to highlight what they consider the "serious consequences" of the agreement between the EU, Ukraine, and Moldova.

According to the union's statement, "The road carriers demand an immediate review of the agreement and the reinstatement of license quotas for Ukrainian-Hungarian transportation. They also seek effective and rigorous official control over Ukrainian truckers."

Volodymyr Balin, Vice President of the Association of International Motor Carriers of Ukraine, stated that the truckers won't block border crossings but will stage a strike near the road.

"Their stance is unclear. They argue that the 'unlicensed system' has distorted the market. However, Ukraine's agreement with the EU, which they aim to cancel, explicitly prohibits transportation within EU countries," clarified Balin.

Strikes on the border between Poland and Ukraine

Strikes have erupted on the Poland-Ukraine border due to increased competition following the opening of international transportation between Ukraine and EU nations. To address this, the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development initiated talks with Poland and the European Commission.

Responding to the potential border blockage, the State Border Guard Service provided comments, and Ukraine formally communicated its concerns to Poland regarding the planned strike by Polish carriers at the Ukrainian-Polish border.

On November 6, Polish carriers initiated a strike at the border. The Ministry of Infrastructure noted that no official demands had been submitted by the Polish carriers to Kyiv.

By the evening of November 7, Polish carriers had fully halted the movement of cargo vehicles at two border checkpoints with Ukraine.

Subsequently, it was revealed that trucks are facing up to a 90-hour wait to enter Ukraine.

On November 9, a meeting of government officials and carriers blocking the border with Ukraine took place in Poland, but it concluded without any resolution. Simultaneously, the lines of trucks are growing longer. Consequently, Ukraine has suggested to the Polish authorities the initiation of lanes for empty trucks and is currently awaiting their response.

On November 15, trilateral talks with Poland and the European Commission on unblocking the crossing points took place, but they did not yield any results. Instead, the European Commission may initiate measures against Poland if the authorities do not resolve the issue of carriers blocking checkpoints on the border with Ukraine.

Polish carriers have promised to tighten the blockade on the border with Ukraine. In addition, customs officers have begun to record an increase in truck queues in the Slovak direction.

Ukraine and Poland are preparing claims for damages caused by the blockade of border crossing points due to the rally of Polish carriers. In addition, it has been reported that Polish carriers are not allowing humanitarian aid and dangerous goods to pass through.

According to Volodymyr Balin, vice president of the Association of International Road Carriers, Polish carriers are violating the terms of the strike, which could help to get it called off. At the same time, the Ukrainian economy has already suffered losses of more than €400 million.

Meanwhile, the Polish government has called on Ukraine to cancel the e-queue registration for empty trucks. Poland’s Minister of Agriculture also met with the protesters and offered them a compromise solution.

On December 4, the EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (TTE) will discuss the situation with the blockade on the Polish-Ukrainian border.