Polish Truckers' Blockade at Ukraine Border Halts Thousands of Vehicles, Disrupts EU Trade

Polish truckers protest EU's decision to scrap permits for Ukrainian drivers, causing significant disruption to trade and economies of both Ukraine and the EU, with waiting times at checkpoints reaching up to seven days.

• Polish truckers have blocked several border crossings between Ukraine and Poland, causing a significant disruption to trade and economies of both Ukraine and the EU. The blockade has resulted in over 20,000 vehicles being stuck at the border, with waiting times reaching up to seven days.
• The protest is in response to the EU's decision to scrap permits for Ukrainian truckers following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year. The Polish truckers claim this decision has led to an influx of Ukrainian drivers, cutting into their profits.
• The protesters' main demands include the restoration of transport permits for Ukrainian truckers, which would limit the number of drivers from outside the EU who could operate there, and a ban on transportation companies from outside the EU.
• Ukrainian authorities have been in contact with their Polish counterparts to resolve the issue. However, Ukraine has indicated that it will not compromise on the reintroduction of permits, citing the ongoing war conditions and the impact of the conflict on Ukraine's logistic chains.
• The blockade follows a previous dispute over Ukrainian grain exports to Europe, which led to a temporary ban on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products to five Eastern European member nations. The ban was lifted after Ukraine reached an agreement with Slovakia and Poland to regulate the flow of grain and certain agricultural exports.

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