Polish truckers tighten Shehyni border checkpoint blockade

This was stated by the spokesman of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, Andriy Demchenko, on the United News telethon, Espreso reports. 

As of the morning of November 26, according to Polish border guards, in 4 directions, namely Yagodyn - Dorohusk, Krakivets - Korczowa, Rawa-Ruska-Hrebenne, Medyka-Shehyni, there were about 3.5 thousand trucks in queues towards Ukraine.

"Most of them were in front of the Shehyni checkpoint and in front of the Rawa-Ruska checkpoint. I would like to add that, for example, near the Shehyni checkpoint, the protesters have been blocking traffic since November 23 and until today during the daytime from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm (Polish time). And tomorrow the blockade is to start around the clock," emphasized Demchenko.

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.