Deputy Prime Minister Kubrakov warns: This blockade will have serious consequences for Poland and Ukraine
Minister of Infrastructure and Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov talked with the head of the National Security Bureau, Jacek Severa. He emphasized that the current situation on the Polish-Ukrainian border is “unacceptable.”
Deputy Prime Minister Kubrakov, in a conversation with Jacek Siewiera, expressed his belief that the blockade of the border between Poland and Ukraine is a direct threat to his country, which is defending itself against military aggression from Russia. He recalled that this is a common enemy of Kiev and Warsaw, and by limiting the flow of goods, opposing the invasion is difficult.
– This blockade will have serious consequences for Poland and Ukraine – emphasized the Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure. He added that such initiatives, combined with the “inhumane treatment” of Ukrainians at the European Union border, could be used by Russian special services. In his opinion, this may be used to “incite an artificial conflict” between Poland and Ukraine.
Kubrakow announced that specific actions are needed on the part of Poles to solve the existing problem and prevent situations such as the current blockade. The Ukrainian side pointed out that the situation on the Polish-Ukrainian border was becoming even more critical.
Kubrakov recalled that currently six border crossings are blocked, and the worst conditions are at the Jahodyn-Dorohusk crossing, where truck traffic has been completely stopped and not even humanitarian aid or fuel is allowed to pass through. At the same time, empty trucks cannot leave Ukraine to collect essential goods.
A nationwide farmers’ protest began on Friday, February 9, and is expected to last 30 days. This is a response to pan-European strikes, but the Polish action has an additional aspect. Farmers are protesting not only against the European Commission’s climate policy, but also against food products entering from Ukraine.
Blockade of the border with Ukraine
As part of the protest, transit traffic is also blocked at border crossings with Ukraine. Farmers in Hrebenne stopped the entry of Ukrainian trucks when they learned that food products, instead of passing through Poland, were unloaded there.
– This is confirmed by the waybills, as well as by the drivers we talked to – the organizer of the border blockade, Łukasz Głaz, told Telewizja Republika. – Now we only allow empty vehicles or trucks with goods other than food through, he added.
