Farmers may also join the blocking of the Ukrainian border by Polish truckers. The problem cannot be resolved through negotiations. And it seems that the Ukrainian authorities, in cooperation with the Polish ones, are ready to sue those who block border automobile checkpoints. Experts analyzed what was happening
Democracy in market conditions is based on competition, and not on totalitarianism. People's Deputy of the 8th convocation, President of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation (UAK) Leonid Kozachenko explains:
“For two weeks now, Polish carriers have been blocking Ukrainian cars, of which thousands have gathered at three checkpoints (Korchova - Krakovets, Grebnoye - Rava-Russkaya and Dorogusk - Yagodin). This has created great financial problems for our companies. It is known that there have already been deaths - one of the drivers died in such a queue, without being able to receive the necessary medical care.”
People are experiencing difficulties with food, heating, and refueling, the expert notes. Now there is news that representatives of the Association of Polish Carriers, who actually staged the blockade, intend to join farmers from the Association “Betrayed Village”. They, Leonid Kozachenko notes, support the far-right Confederation party, known for its pro-Russian (respectively, anti-Ukrainian) sentiments. And this is not so much about economics as it is about politics.
“Some in Poland openly regret the loss of the Russian market – logistics transportation and mutual deliveries. And they complain no less openly about the inability to compete with Ukraine, which offers more favorable conditions for certain transportation (and operates without quotas, which were removed from us by decision of the EU after large-scale Russian aggression). Problems certainly need to be solved.
Look for compromises. But the way individual Polish entrepreneurs are now acting not only runs counter to certain moral values (considering the difficult situation Ukraine is currently in), but also contradicts EU decisions, as well as Polish legislation,” the expert emphasizes.
Democracy in market conditions, he reminds, is based on competition, not totalitarianism. EU members cannot brush aside decisions made by the EU leadership. This is not about dialogue, this is about blackmail, emphasizes Leonid Kozachenko.
“We consider Poland a strategic partner,” he notes. “And we hope that the Polish leadership will intervene in this conflict without leading to an even greater escalation.”
Poland and other countries bordering us benefit from such illegal blocking
Economic expert Daniil Monin emphasizes that the closure of the sea corridor has sharply increased the need for exports from Ukraine via other possible routes. Including road transport.
“Europe has always been unfriendly to external players, using regulatory measures and standards to protect its market, which should limit supplies from outside to EU markets. But Ukraine now simply has no other choice,” explains the expert.
And yet, we have people illegally blocking the border, who partially lose income due to the large number of transits from the Ukrainian side.
“At the same time, Poland and other countries bordering us benefit from such illegal blocking,” notes Daniil Monin. – It’s hard to say how Ukraine can influence this. After all, scaring people with compensation for damage is not a very strong argument. Most likely, Ukrainian business will try to reorient itself to other roads that are not yet blocked. Hoping that the strike will end someday and it will be possible to transport again using traditional routes. But as long as the sea is inaccessible, this situation can be repeated again and again in different transit places.”
