In response, Ukrainian carriers will close three checkpoints on the border with Poland – Rava-Russkaya, Krakovets, and Shegini. The promotion will last until March 15 or until the Polish side unblocks the border
On Tuesday, February 20, Polish farmers intend to completely block the border with Ukraine. The organizers of the protests reported this on February 13.
“Not only border crossings will be blocked, but also communication centers and access roads to transshipment railway stations and seaports,” said the independent trade union Solidarity.
The protesters are convinced that the problem of the profitability of agricultural production, processing and other industries in Poland is the “uncontrolled flow of goods from Ukraine that are imported through the opening of the EU border.” The organizers of the protests ask their fellow citizens to support the strike, because, according to them, it is designed to “ensure the country’s food security, and society with healthy and high-quality Polish products.”
Where will Polish farmers go on strike?
Meanwhile, the Institute of Agrarian Economics of Poland published a map of agrarian protests. They will cover almost the entire territory of Poland.
“After nationwide strikes and protests in all corners of Poland, the time has come to repeat. On February 20, 2024, farmers from all over Poland will once again take to the streets of Polish cities and villages. The purpose of the rally is to express resistance to the policies of the European Union, the Green Deal and the flow of goods from Ukraine,” the Institute said in a statement.
Will Ukrainian carriers go on strike?
On February 20, Ukrainian carriers will also begin a peaceful protest at three checkpoints with Poland. These are “Rava-Russkaya”, “Krakovets”, “Shegini”. Ukrinform writes about this with reference to the words of the chairman of the NGO International Road Carriers of Ukraine (MAPU) Vladimir Mikhalevich. The promotion is planned to be held around the clock until March 15, 2024. Or until the borders are unblocked by the Polish side.
The chairman of the public organization “Ukrainian Transport Union in the Lviv Region” Oleg Dubik, in a comment to Suspilny, said that at each of these three checkpoints there will be at least 10-15 trucks and up to 20 people on duty.
“We will allow Polish trucks into the territory of Ukraine. But with the delay with which they let ours through: four hours, then four hours, five, then five,” Dubik said.
What does the Ukrainian side say?
Statements by Polish agricultural associations about the oversaturation of their market with Ukrainian products are unfair. Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Alexander Kubrakov stated this during the telethon.
According to him, in January, the export of Ukrainian agricultural products occurred mainly due to sea transportation and amounted to 6.7 million tons. But only 0.37 million tons of agricultural products passed through Poland in transit, which is about 5% of the total volume. At the same time, through the territory of Poland in 2022, Ukraine exported up to one million tons of agricultural products per month.
“For its part, Ukraine is doing everything possible to minimize any possible economic losses of Polish farmers. We believe that the blockade definitely plays into the hands of Russia and it is already using it, showing that allegedly not all is well with our friendly Poland. Let me remind you that in the first days of the full-scale invasion, it was the fraternal Polish people who accepted millions of Ukrainians seeking refuge from the war, and together with the Polish authorities we launched stable military logistics,” Kubrakov said.
The minister assured of conducting dialogue at all levels. The day before, urgent negotiations were held with Jacek Severa, head of the National Security Bureau of Poland, on the inadmissibility of a blockade of the border, in particular, passenger transport. And he added that blocking the border is a direct threat to the security of Ukraine, and such actions negatively affect the confrontation with the common enemy – Russia.
Let us remind you that as of the morning of February 19, six out of nine checkpoints were blocked. These are “Yagodin”, “Ustilug”, “Ugrinov”, “Rava-Russkaya”, “Shegini” and “Krakovets”. There are a total of 2,900 trucks in queues there. Most of the trucks are at the Yagodin and Krakovets checkpoints.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced the need to stop the supply of Ukrainian products to the European market. Brussels is setting rules for European farmers that make production more and more expensive for them, he said.