Slovak and Polish hauliers have blocked the border crossing points with Ukraine for trucks, and Ukrainian hauliers have responded with a protest on their side. Find out what the parties are demanding and what is happening on the border now

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On November 6, Polish hauliers began blockading the checkpoints on the border with Ukraine for trucks, and on November 16, Slovak hauliers announced their intention to join the strikes if the European Commission does not return the issuance of commercial permits for transportation within the EU. As of November 21, truck traffic on the border with Slovakia was also restricted, as the Union of Carriers organized a blockade.

In response to the protests, Brussels said it could apply a "punitive procedure" because some of the carriers' demands are legally impossible, and the situation on Ukraine's borders, which are the most important logistical route for imports and exports in times of war, is only getting worse. 

Ukrainian carriers' rally: what are their demands?

According to Ukrinform, at the Krakivets-Korchova checkpoint, members of the NGO International Road Carriers of Ukraine started a rally in response to the blocking of Ukrainian borders. The protest was attended by carriers and drivers along with their vehicles. In total, more than 30 trucks arrived.

"Today is a warning action in response to the blocking of key highways by Polish protesters... We are outraged by the actions of our Polish colleagues, because in this difficult time, instead of supporting Ukraine, they are creating obstacles," said Volodymyr Mykhalevych, head of the NGO.

In addition, the Ukrainian carriers stated that the situation at the border crossing points with Ukraine is causing disproportionate damage to the economies of both countries, and therefore they call on their Polish colleagues to unite to maintain the world's food security and fight together for victory.

As of November 21, traffic from Ukraine was not blocked, but if Polish carriers do not meet the demands, the rallies will continue, and their demands will no longer be warning.

How has the blockade affected traffic at the borders?

The movement of passenger vehicles and passenger buses was not blocked, so the queues at the borders did not increase. At the same time, almost 3,000 trucks have been blocked at the checkpoints with Poland. According to Andriy Demchenko, a spokesman for the Border Guard Service of Ukraine, on the air of the United News telethon, the largest queues of trucks were recorded at the Yahodyn and Krakivets checkpoints. The situation is slightly better at the Rava-Ruska crossing point.

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Photo: Ukrinform

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