Polish truckers ended the blockade of a border crossing with Ukraine on Sunday, Ukrainian authorities announced, after a high-level meeting to resolve a dispute that strained bilateral relations.
“Truck traffic has resumed” at the crossing between Shehyni and Medyka, the Ukrainian border authority reported on Telegram.
Polish transporters have been blocking the main crossing points with Ukraine since November to protest against what they consider “unfair competition” from truck drivers from the neighboring country.
The European Union (EU) exempted Ukrainian companies from a permit to enter the bloc as a gesture of solidarity after the Russian invasion that began in February 2022 and this exemption was extended until June 2024.
Polish truckers claim that this measure harms their income, Ukraine depends on road transport for its exports and imports since the sea routes through the Black Sea were blocked by the war with Russia.
The new head of Polish diplomacy, Radoslaw Sikorski, met in kyiv with the Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelensky, and two of his ministers to address this issue that is straining relations between these two neighboring countries.
Pro-European politician Donald Tusk, who took office as Poland’s prime minister in December, has reiterated his commitment to Ukraine and also promised to provide solutions to disgruntled Polish truck drivers.