The situation on the Ukrainian-Polish border is worsening: the economies of both countries are suffering.

On February 20, Ukrainian transporters will start a peaceful protest at three checkpoints with Poland – Rawa-Ruska, Krakowiec, and Shehyni. In this way, carriers in Ukraine are protesting the blocking of freight traffic that began in November 2023. The strike will last around the clock until March 15, 2024, or until Polish demonstrators unblock the borders.

The Polish carriers have also blocked roads for passenger buses, and the railway tracks at the Dorohusk station.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Oleksandr Kubrakov, emphasized that this will have severe social and political consequences for both countries.

The Council of National Security and Defense of Ukraine noted that closing the border primarily harms the Polish economy. Ukraine is Poland’s largest trade partner outside the EU, and exports to Ukraine provide Poles with more than 100,000 high-paying jobs.

During the three months of protests, Poland’s service sector lost more than $10M.