After Polish carriers started blockading Ukrainian border crossing points, carriers from Slovakia announced their intention to join them. Find out what is happening at the borders now and whether the parties will reach an agreement in the near future

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On November 6, Polish carriers began a blockade of checkpoints on the border with Ukraine, demanding the abolition of the "transport visa-free regime for Ukraine" and the creation of a separate electronic queue for their trucks. Despite the fact that the countries tried to reach an agreement and resolve the situation at the border, Polish carriers refused all the proposed options. Moreover, Slovak carriers have also announced their intention to block the border with Ukraine.

What is happening at the borders now, why the European Commission is threatening Poland, and what is the main problem with the demands put forward by the carriers - we will tell you further in the article.

Earlier, we talked about convenient routes from Poland and Slovakia to avoid queues.

Queues on the border with Slovakia: has the blockade begun?

According to the Center for Transportation Strategies, the Union of Road Carriers of Slovakia (UNAS) threatens to block the border crossing points with Ukraine on its side if the European Commission does not return the issuance of commercial permits for transportation within the EU.

"If the European Transport Commission fails to do so, UNAS is ready to immediately support Polish carriers at the border and block the border crossing for Ukrainian carriers from the Slovak side," said Stanislav Skala, head of UNAS.

According to the Slovak association of transport companies CESMAD Slovakia, over the past year and a half, the traffic of Ukrainian trucks has increased by about 600-800%. And despite the fact that this trend is primarily due to the war in Ukraine and the blockade of Ukrainian ports, the Slovaks argue that this creates room for numerous violations. In particular, they demand more thorough checks of Ukrainians for illegal transfers, technical negligence of vehicles, and fraud with tachographs. 

Long queues have already formed on the border with Slovakia. Those carrying humanitarian aid, perishable food and animals have priority to cross the border, but only if they have supporting documents. Meanwhile, other carriers have to stand in lines for 4-5 days.

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Why is the European Commission threatening Poland because of the blocking of Ukrainian borders?

According to the Polish RMF FM, citing interlocutors in Brussels, the European Commission may apply a "punitive procedure" against Poland if the issue of blocking checkpoints on the borders with Ukraine is not resolved.

The European Commission did not provide any official comments on the specific consequences for Poland, but according to spokesman Adalbert Janz, according to EU law, the Polish authorities are obliged to ensure the free movement of Ukrainian trucks at the checkpoints. Currently, trilateral negotiations are still ongoing, but so far there have been no positive developments in this matter.

At the same time, a spokesman for the European Commission noted at a briefing in Brussels that the key demand of Polish carriers - the return of the system of issuing permits for Ukrainians to work in the EU - is legally impossible.

"Any restoration of the system of permits or quotas for road transportation is not legally possible, as it would be incompatible with the EU-Ukraine Road Transport Agreement. This Road Transport Agreement, of course, was concluded with the consent of the member states," he said.

Thus, the requirement put forward by Slovak carriers is legally impossible, and therefore, in the near future, the blocking of checkpoints on the border with Slovakia is likely.

We remind you! During his visit to the United States, Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak announced that one of Ukraine's airports may be opened for civilian flights. Read more about how this can happen in time of war and which airport it is in our previous article.

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