Ukraine explores new export route via Danube amidst tensions on Polish border – infrastructure minister

The Ukrainian authorities are planning an additional route for transporting goods across the Danube River to increase their exports to pre-war levels.

The Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction – the Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure, Oleksandr Kubrakov, stated this in an interview with Bloomberg.

"Our plans for this year include the removal of all artificial obstacles for exporters, and we are working on improving internal logistics. We are planning container transportation along the upper Danube," he said, adding that this route through Romania is "more predictable than the situation on the Polish border."

According to Kubrakov, the new route for the transportation of products is planned to run from the Ukrainian port of Izmail to the Romanian Constanta and ports in Germany located on the Danube.

He added that although many exporters prefer transportation via the Black Sea because it is cheaper, volumes via the Danube are still 1.2-1.8 million tonnes per month.

"This is definitely not a threat to Polish farmers, as we transport not only agricultural products but also auto parts for German car manufacturers, processing products that are not sent to Poland. Blocking the border means billions in losses both for our economy and the European Union's economy," the minister said.

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As previously reported by Rubryka, on February 20, Polish protesters began stricter restrictions on movement near six checkpoints on the Ukraine border. In some of them, not only trucks are blocked.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called on the Polish authorities to provide a legal assessment of the actions of the participants of the protest actions, to ensure the unblocking of the border, and to take measures to stop anti-Ukrainian rhetoric.

The protest of Polish farmers on the Ukrainian border can be extended for another month – until April. Roman Kondrov, the leader of the "Pidkarpatsky Deceived Village," stated this.

In turn, on February 20, Ukrainian transporters started peaceful action near the "Rava-Ruska-Grebenne," "Krakivets-Korchova," and "Shehyni-Medyka" railway stations. This is a response to the blockade of checkpoints by Polish protesters.