Polish protesters agree to unblock one checkpoint on Ukrainian border

On Monday, December 11, the blockade on cargo trucks at the "Dorohusk–Yahodyn" checkpoint on the Poland-Ukraine border was lifted. 

Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov made the announcement following an over-a-month-long blockade of this major cargo checkpoint, Rubryka reports.

As of 2:00 p.m., stable traffic for trucks has been restored. In the direction of Ukraine, 15 vehicles have passed through the checkpoint, and 25 trucks are being cleared and heading toward Poland.

The State Border Guard Service said that the clearance and passage of cargo trucks across the border in both directions were operating under normal conditions.

Before the blockade, approximately 1,200–1,300 trucks crossed the border in this direction daily. Throughout the protest, around 100-130 cargo vehicles were processed for entry into Ukraine and about 30 for exit.

The Ukrainian government stressed that resolving the blockade was a daily effort involving negotiations at all possible levels.

"It was a challenging task, but it is not yet complete. The border must be fully unblocked, and further blockades are not allowed. We continue to work, considering the interests of our carriers and the state," said Kubrakov.

However, the Union of Slovak Road Hauliers (UNAS) announced that they would continue the border blockade with Ukraine at the "Vyšné Nemecké–Uzhhorod" checkpoint.

Hungarian carriers also expressed their intention to block the "Záhony–Chop" checkpoint on the Ukraine border starting December 11, demanding the cancellation of preferences introduced by the EU for Ukraine in freight transportation.

About the blockade of the Ukrainian-Polish border

Since November 6, Polish carriers have been on strike, blocking several checkpoints on the border with Ukraine.

The Polish government cannot unilaterally influence the agreement between Ukraine and the European Union on the liberalization of freight transport despite being one of the protesters' demands.

In response, the Ukrainian side established a support headquarters for drivers blocked at the border. Each of the three points has a coordinator.

On December 1, Ukraine and Poland agreed to unblock the border partially.

Due to the strike by Polish carriers and the border blockade, Ukraine's state budget lost ₴9.3 billion from unreceived customs duties.

As of December 10, there are around 3,500 trucks on the Polish-Ukrainian border, and the movement is still blocked at four crossing points.