Tensions have flared at the Polish-Ukrainian border as truckers from Poland have blocked three border crossings, protesting what they perceive as their government’s inaction over the loss of business to foreign competitors during Russia’s ongoing war on Ukraine.
The protest follows similar demonstrations by farmers and has prompted a ban on Ukrainian food imports, further exacerbating the strained relations between the two nations.
The truckers’ protest, which began on Monday, has disrupted commercial traffic and shows no signs of abating.
Their demands include a call for Warsaw and Brussels to reinstate limits on transport operations for Ukrainian hauliers, stepping back to the restrictions in place before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The truckers are rallying behind the farmers’ playbook, mirroring their tactics to raise awareness of their anger.
The root of the issue lies in the exemption granted to Ukrainian truckers, which allowed them to cross the Polish border without the need for permits since the conflict in Ukraine began.
This exemption resulted in an exponential increase in the number of Ukrainian trucks crossing into Poland, with approximately 900,000 border crossings, compared to the pre-war annual figure of 180,000.
The protesting truckers are demanding the reinstatement of restrictions on the number of Ukraine-registered trucks entering Poland and a ban on transport companies with capital from outside the European Union. They argue that these measures are necessary to protect their interests and level the playing field.
However, their actions have drawn criticism from both the Polish government and the European Union. Both authorities have called on the truckers to end their blockade and allow for the resumption of regular transport operations.
Ukraine’s government has also weighed in on the issue, urging Warsaw to act swiftly to resolve the situation. Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Zharych said: “We call on the Polish protesters to stop the blockade of the border and choose other forms of defending their rights that would not impede movement across the border.” He cautioned that such blockades could serve to benefit “our common enemy, the Russian terrorists”, while harming the interests of both Ukraine and Poland.
The European Union had previously extended the exemption for Ukraine truckers until next June, allowing them to cross the EU border without additional permissions. However, this deal does not grant them the ability to pick up and drop off loads within the bloc’s territory.
