Polish farmers blockade railway near Ukraine border, dump grain in protest
Polish protesters blocked the railway near the Medyka-Shehyni border crossing, spilling grain from a freight wagon, public news broadcaster Suspilne reported on Feb. 20.
Polish farmers warned on Feb. 13 that on Feb. 20 they would block all checkpoints on the border with Ukraine, as well as communication hubs and entrances to transshipment railroad stations and seaports.
Polish farmers resumed protests near the Korczowa-Krakowiec checkpoint on Feb. 13. This is the sixth checkpoint on the border blocked by protesters.
Read also: Polish grain protests: unclear if other countries are participating — State Customs Service
They had previously blocked five checkpoints on the border with Ukraine, hundreds of trucks arestanding in queues. The strike may last until March 10.
The Polish farmers also announced a complete blockade of the Ukrainian border. From Feb. 20, traffic will be blocked at all checkpoints, as well as transportation links and entrances to transshipment railway stations and seaports will be blocked.
The protesting farmers who are blocking the largest checkpoints on the border with Ukraine have put forward many demands, among which two main ones are: the complete refusal of duty-free trade with Ukraine and the complete closure of the Ukrainian-Polish border for trucks.
Read also: Kyiv officials renew strong rebuke of Polish border obstructions, appeal to Polish government to act
During the protest, some participants began to tear locks off Ukrainian trucks and spill grain from them. The incident caused a scandal. The Ukrainian Ambassador urged strong response to Polish farmers’ “shameful and offensive” grain spillage, saying that Ukrainian diplomats had appealed to the Polish police, who had launched an investigation of the incident on Feb. 12. Polish Agriculture Minister Czeslaw Siekierski issued an apology.
For their part, Ukrainian carriers began to block the border on Feb. 15 in response to the actions of Polish farmers. The Ukrainians blocked the entry of trucks from Poland through the Yahodyn-Dorohusk checkpoint.
Negotiations between Kyiv and Warsaw on regulating the imports of Ukrainian agricultural products are in final stages, Sekerski said during a meeting with Polish farmers who are blockading the Ukrainian border on Feb. 15.
We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!
Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
