The European Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean has taken a firm stance against reinstating the requirement of transport permits for Ukrainian operators in a victory for the Ukrainian government. This decision was supported by Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Netherlands, and Germany during the EU Council meeting on transport in Brussels, which was reported by RMF FM.
Poland, advocating for the return to a permit system, has requested a joint committee meeting between the EU and Ukraine to address this issue. However, Commissioner Valean declared that the committee would convene only after the lifting of blockades, highlighting 13 practical and technical proposals currently under consideration to resolve the dispute.
Meanwhile, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Bulgaria argued for revising the 2022 transport agreement, which eliminated permits for Ukrainian operators. Bulgaria’s representative noted irregularities in 300 out of 1,000 inspected Ukrainian trucks. Partial agreement came from the Czech Republic and Croatia, acknowledging issues with Ukraine’s e-queue system.
Polish Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Rafał Weber expressed frustration over the current situation, noting a disproportionate number of Ukrainian vehicles crossing the Polish-Ukrainian border compared to Polish ones, which he alleges represents unfair competition.
Polish transport operators have been protesting since Nov. 6, citing unequal market access and the exemption of Ukrainian firms from EU regulations that Polish companies must comply with.
Ukraine has strongly criticized the border protest, claiming it harms its economy and blocks essential imports like LPG gas, along with humanitarian and military aid. Public discourse in Ukraine has even accused Polish operators of acting in Russia’s interest, a claim also echoed within radical pro-Ukrainian circles in Poland.
