Ukraine’s infrastructure minister, Oleksandr Kubrakov, announced on Sunday that the Uhryniv-Dolhobyczow border crossing between Poland and Ukraine would be partially opened for commercial traffic starting Monday. The move is the first in a series of actions aimed at resolving the border crisis.
Kubrakov took to Facebook to share the news, stating, “We’re opening the Uhryniv-Dolhobyczow crossing for the movement of empty lorries leaving Ukraine.” Notably, this particular border crossing, which typically accommodates passenger cars and buses, will now also facilitate the passage of empty trucks.
The decision comes as a result of collaborative efforts between Ukraine, the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure, and the Lubelskie Province, with the support of the European Commission (DG MOVE). The agreement specifically allows the opening of a lane for lorries weighing up to 7.5 tonnes.
Kubrakov emphasized that this step marks Ukraine’s initial effort to address the border crisis, intending to reduce queues and enhance traffic flow between Poland and Ukraine. The ongoing blockade has led to extensive delays, primarily due to protests by Polish hauliers, who initiated their demonstration on November 6.
The protesting drivers are advocating for the reinstatement of commercial permits for Ukrainian companies transporting goods, excluding humanitarian aid and military equipment. They also seek the suspension of operating permits for Ukrainian haulage firms established after the onset of the conflict in Ukraine. The hauliers argue that Ukrainian companies undercut their business by paying significantly lower wages to truckers, resulting in reduced operating costs but heightened competition with Polish counterparts.
The partial opening of the Uhryniv-Dolhobyczow crossing is a tangible step toward de-escalating tensions and finding a resolution to the dispute over international trucking rights between Poland and Ukraine. Stakeholders hope that these measures will contribute to normalizing traffic and fostering cooperation between the two nations.