Polish farmers closed Ukrainian border crossings

European farmers, including Polish farmers who protested on the border with Ukraine last Tuesday and created traffic jams on the roads in these areas, demanding a plan to preserve their livelihoods, which Kiev says will harm its war measures. Demonstrations against the actions of the European Union and the Polish government in the field of Ukrainian grain exports have taken place.

Reuters reported that Polish farmers with their trucks and tractors created traffic and blocked border crossings and allowed only military aid to pass through.

The phrase “Putin will hold Ukraine, Brussels and our government accountable” can be seen on one of the placards mounted on the protesting farmers’ tractors.

Meanwhile, Kiev says its agricultural exports through Eastern Europe have not hurt EU markets.
Employees of Ukrainian transport companies said they planned to use three crossings blocked by Polish farmers as protests worsened in Poland. To hold peaceful gatherings for twenty-four hours. These protests are supposed to continue until March 15.

Poland became one of Ukraine’s staunch allies after the Russian attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, but these border protests damaged their relations.

Poland’s new government, which supports the European Union, expressed sympathy for the farmers’ demands, but asked them not to take actions that would harm Kiev’s war efforts.

Ukraine says these blockades affect its defense capabilities and serve Russia’s goals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also said that this incident on the border with Poland weakens the bond between the two countries every day. He added that only 5 percent of Ukraine’s agricultural exports pass through Poland’s borders, and this issue is more political than related to grain.
However, Polish Deputy Minister of Agriculture Michał Kolucichak rejected Zelenskiy’s criticisms and He said that he himself can come and witness the problems of Polish farmers.

Poland’s Minister of Agriculture Josaf Chekirski also said earlier that he is negotiating with Ukraine and that an agreement to limit imports is likely to be reached by the end of March.

In this regard, Ukrainian Agriculture Minister “Mykola Solsky” also said on Monday that Kyiv is “ready for all options” and is looking for a “constructive” solution.

On the other hand, “Andrzej Duda” said in response to Zelensky’s comments that blocking Ukrainian grain exports is “ridiculous”, saying: I am sorry that this situation has arisen. But on the other hand, I want you to remember that Poland is a democratic country where the right to protest exists and is guaranteed by the Constitution. If legal protests are made, it will be tolerated and defended.

Source: ISNA