After four days, on Monday, the 4th of December, Slovak truckers temporarily ended their blockade at the only cargo border crossing with Ukraine and plan to decide on further actions. Polish truckers, meanwhile, are continuing their protest by blocking several border crossings with Ukraine, calling on the European Union (EU) to reinstate permits restricting transit for Ukrainian truckers, reports Reuters.
On Friday, Slovak truckers had started a partial blockade of the Vysne Nemecke-Uzhhorod crossing.
Stanislav Skala, head of the Slovak UNAS trucker’s association, told Reuters that they had called off the blockade at the border crossing because of security concerns and possible disruption to emergency services.
The decision was prompted by threats by truckers,
who are queuing for kilometres, to block roads far from the crossing, affecting access to villages along the route.
The Slovak truckers’ interruption of blockade was aimed at dispersing the long queue and UNAS leaders plan to meet on Tuesday to continue discussions on the next steps.
Skala expressed UNAS’ frustration with the lack of progress on the issue following Monday’s meeting of EU transport ministers.
Poland on Monday demanded the return of permits for Ukrainian truckers
with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki telling reporters that “we will demand very strongly and unequivocally that restrictions on Ukrainian drivers be restored,” according to Reuters.
During the protests, which saw massive queues – as long as 18 km – at major border crossings, Ukraine opened the Uhryniv-Dolhobychuv border crossing to allow empty trucks to pass. A Polish haulier told Reuters that the move was beneficial for Ukraine as their truckers can leave faster, but Polish truckers still have to wait in queues.
BNN already reported that both Polish and Slovak truckers are protesting because Ukrainian truckers are providing services at lower prices. Polish truckers started their protest on the 6th of November, calling on the EU to reinstate the permit system that was revoked after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with exceptions for humanitarian aid and military supplies.
Read also: Slovak truckers threaten to block border crossing with Ukraine
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