Strike at Ukrainian-Polish border: European Commission may launch criminal proceedings against Poland

This was reported by RMF FM, according to Espreso. 

The European Commission emphasized that the Polish authorities, in accordance with EU law, are obliged to ensure the free movement of Ukrainian trucks at border crossings.

Officially, the European Commission does not want to comment on the measures it may take against the Polish authorities, as it assures that negotiations with Poland and Ukraine are ongoing.

"The European Commission is still in contact with the authorities of both countries, we cannot comment on potential measures as discussions are ongoing," the spokesperson said.

Later, the Ministry of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine reported on the results of trilateral talks with Poland and the European Commission on November 15 to unblock the checkpoints.

"The key demand of the protesters is to return to the permit system. This demand cannot be fulfilled, as stated by the Ukrainian side, and DG MOVE emphasized that this issue cannot be the subject of this meeting. The agreement on freight liberalization between Ukraine and the EU will be in force at least until June 30 next year. As a result of the talks, the parties developed joint solutions and offered them to the Polish protesters. The latter proposals were not agreed upon. The parties continue to search for solutions that would resolve the situation," the Ministry of Infrastructure added.

Strikes on border between Poland and Ukraine: what is known

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 ended in nothing. Meanwhile, the queues of trucks are getting longer.

Therefore, Ukraine has proposed to the Polish authorities to launch lanes for empty trucks and is waiting for a response from them.