On the morning of February 20, Polish protesters intensified their protests near the Medyka-Shehyni checkpoint. Farmers blocked the railroad. They also spilled grain from a freight car on the tracks.
This was reported by a Suspilne correspondent from the scene.
“This is a reaction to the influx of grain from Ukraine. It is very bad. People are desperate and can’t help themselves. No one controls this: neither the Polish authorities nor the Ukrainian ones,” says Roman Kondruv, co-organizer of the Polish farmers’ protest.
According to him, the protesters are throwing grain “because of emotions.”
“We have no influence on people, they can’t stand it and are leaving. We are bankrupt, because everything is being taken out of Ukraine uncontrollably,” adds the co-organizer of the protest.
The Suspilne correspondent added that the police arrived at the scene. So in less than half an hour, Polish farmers unblocked the railroad.
Earlier, the website of NSZZ RI “Solidarność” announced that the protest would last at least until March 10.
“On February 20, as part of a 30-day general strike of farmers, we announce that all protests will be focused on a complete blockade of all border crossings between Poland and Ukraine,” the statement said.
What is known about the blocking of the Polish-Ukrainian border.
On November 6, 2023, at about 14:00 Ukrainian time, Polish carriers began blocking truck traffic at the Krakivets-Korchova, Yahodyn-Dorogusk, and Rava-Ruska-Hrebenne checkpoints.
The Ukravtoprom association, citing the International Transport Association of Ukraine, said that the strikes were caused by excessive competition after the liberalization of international transportation between Ukraine and the EU.
On November 23, 2023, Polish farmers joined the strikes at the border, protesting at the Shehyni-Medica checkpoint.
On December 11, 2023, Polish carriers ended a strike at the Yahodyn-Dorohusk checkpoint. The customs office started working as usual, and truck traffic resumed in both directions.
On the same day, a Polish truck blocked traffic in front of the checkpoint again. After a warning from Polish law enforcement officers, the truck was removed.
Since 15:00 on December 18, 2023, Polish carriers have again blocked the movement of trucks at the Yahodyn-Dorogusk international checkpoint.
On January 6, Poland resumed truck traffic on the road to the Medyka-Shehyni border crossing point.
On February 9, farmers in Poland launched a nationwide strike. The protest will last at least until March 10.
During the talks at the Ministry of Agriculture, Viktor Shmulevych, president of the National Council of Agricultural Chambers, said that all farmers agree on three main demands: they do not want the Green Deal, imports of agricultural products from Ukraine, and support for livestock.
As of the morning of February 10, Polish farmers blocked the work of three checkpoints on the border with Ukraine: “Yahodyn-Dorogusk, Rava-Ruska-Hrebenne, and Shehyni-Medyka. On the same day, at 11:30 a.m., the protest ended in front of the Shehyni-Medica checkpoint. Truck traffic has been restored.
On February 12, Polish farmers began protests at the Dolhobychuv-Uhryniv and Zosin-Ustyluh checkpoints. Protesters are blocking truck traffic there. Medica-Shehyni was also blocked again.
On February 15, a protest action by Ukrainian carriers began near the Yahodyn-Dorohusk international checkpoint, who gathered in response to the actions of Polish farmers and delayed the movement of trucks with Polish registration.
The State Customs Service reported that the previously announced full blockade of truck traffic at the Yahodyn-Dorohusk cargo checkpoint began on February 18. Protesters do not allow even perishable, dangerous or humanitarian cargo to pass through.
