Donald Tusk: New government's task is to demand from the Western community to help Ukraine

This was reported by Ukrinform.

The Polish Prime Minister criticized the former government led by Mateusz Morawiecki, accusing it of neglecting the interests of Polish carriers and refusing to secure the border with Ukraine during the war.

"In a simple act of decency, the incoming ministers of this administration sat down with me for extended discussions, even past midnight, to find swift solutions for the issue at the Ukrainian-Polish border. We actively sought and successfully discovered ways to address the urgent needs of Polish drivers and promptly reopen the border with Ukraine, a nation in conflict eagerly awaiting the transport of goods along the blocked route," emphasized Tusk.

In addition, during a speech in the Sejm, Donald Tusk promised to support Ukraine in the war with Russia and "firmly demand the Western community's determination to help." This is stated in the New Poland Telegram channel.

"Today we see President Zelenskyy trying to convince the world again what the game is about: that Russia's attack on Ukraine is an attack on all of us. We will, and I count on the cooperation of all political forces, loudly and decisively demand the full mobilization of the free world to help Ukraine in this war," Tusk said.

He added that he could no longer listen to Western politicians saying that they were tired of the war in Ukraine.

"The task of Poland, of the new government, of all of us is to demand loudly and firmly from the Western community the determination to help Ukraine. I will do this from day one," he promised.

Tusk emphasized that helping Ukraine "is not really that difficult". However, this requires full Polish participation.

"No one should teach us solidarity at the elementary level. At the same time, we will be precise and, if necessary, tough in defending Poland's interests with every neighbor who wants to build the world with us," he assured.

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.

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.

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 1, the blocked Ukrainian drivers at the Polish border held talks with the consul. On December 4, the Uhryniv-Dolhobyczów border crossing point opened to empty trucks.

As a result of the protesters' blocking of the border with Ukraine, exports through these checkpoints decreased by 40%, and the state budget of Ukraine lost UAH 9.3 billion due to a shortfall in customs payments. 

Later it became known that the trucks blocked on the border with Poland would be returned to Ukraine by rail. On the evening of December 7, Ukrainian Railways sent the first container train with trucks to Poland, consisting of 23 platforms with 13 loaded tractors and semi-trailers