Polish-Ukrainian Border Potentially Closed Until End of Year Due to Strikes

Polish carriers have planned to start blocking all border crossings between Ukraine and Poland from Nov. 3, citing excessive competition due to the “liberalization of international transport between Ukraine and the EU.”

According to the International Transport Association of Ukraine, the blockade would last for two months and has expanded from just one checkpoint to all border crossings between Ukraine and Poland.

The first blockade would take place at the Korczowa checkpoint, 77 kilometers (48 miles) west of Lviv.

However, the association stated that the blockade would rotate between different checkpoints, leading to longer delays and complications.

Polish carriers demand stricter regulations on foreign carriers, namely the return of the permit system for Ukrainian carriers, tighter controls on foreign carriers by the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (EICMT), separate border queues for EU-plated and empty trucks respectively, restrictions on company registrations in Poland if they are financed abroad, and access to the “Shliakh” system that allows male drivers or volunteers to cross the border when martial law is in effect.

Poland has been one of the most vocal supporters of Ukraine since the invasion started with close to one million displaced Ukrainians recorded in the country, but competition in different sectors has led to strained relations at times.

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