Poland blocks border with Ukraine, EU warns of sanctions

November 17, 2023 17:06

According to Pravda, the European Commission (EC) may initiate legal proceedings against Poland if the government does not resolve the issue of transport companies blocking the border crossing with Ukraine.

Ukrainian cargo trucks at the Polish border. Photo: CNN

The European Commission believes that the Polish authorities are obliged to ensure the flow of goods from Ukraine through the so-called “solidarity corridor to ensure the free movement of Ukrainian trucks at border crossings”.

Tensions on the Polish-Ukrainian border emerged when dozens of Polish transport companies blocked three border crossings with Ukraine on November 6. Their demands included restoring the process of issuing trade permits for Ukrainian companies transporting goods, except humanitarian aid and supplies for the Ukrainian military, suspending free movement permits for companies established after the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and inspecting these companies.

The Ukrainian army uses US M77 howitzers. Photo: EPA-EFE

Polish truckers said on November 13 that the latest talks with Ukrainian officials had failed to resolve the dispute and that they would continue blocking the border crossing with Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Slovakian Transport Union also warned of blocking the country's border crossing with Ukraine for similar reasons.

In other developments, Ukrainian President Zelensky said that the shipment of artillery shells to Ukraine has decreased significantly since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out last month. Meanwhile, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius admitted that the European Union (EU) cannot provide one million artillery shells to Ukraine in a year as announced in March. EU member states can only provide 300,000 shells from their reserves to Ukraine, because production cannot keep up with the supply.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ba-lan-chan-bien-gioi-voi-ukraine-eu-canh-bao-trung-phat-post714575.html