Ukraine and Poland hold talks over border blockade

Denys Shmyhal and Donald Tusk (t.me/Denys_Smyhal)

Ukraine, Poland and the European Union negotiated to unblock the border and find common positions to resolve the crisis, according to the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.

The talks lasted for over 6 hours.

"It was a complex but frank conversation between ministries and associations. It's important that we have already discussed potential solutions that will soon be announced. However, the issue is complex for all parties and requires additional time," said Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Mykola Solskyi.

In turn, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated that Ukraine and Poland had held another round of Ukrainian-Polish government consultations.

"Ukraine and Poland are strategic allies. We have to clearly understand the significance of mutual support and the potential for our cooperation," he said.

During the meeting, participants discussed issues that "are of mutual interest in our cooperation".

The parties also paid considerable attention to complex topics: the situation at the border and trade in the agricultural sector.

Shmyhal expressed expectations for Poland to provide specific responses to the proposed steps.

"Most of them have already been implemented. We expect the European Commission to ban transit and exports of goods from Russia and Belarus, as well as the approving of our joint control agreement at border checkpoints," the Prime Minister stated.

He adds that strategic relations involve mutual trust, openness, dialogue, and compromise capability.

"We hope that today's consultations will bring results, and we will find ways to resolve problematic issues," he added.

Shmyhal-Tusk meeting

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk held a meeting in Warsaw today, March 28. They discussed the situation at the border and other issues.

Polish farmers continue to block checkpoints at the border with Ukraine, not allowing trucks with Ukrainian agricultural products to pass. As of March 27, Polish farmers continue to block three directions, namely the checkpoints Yahodyn, Rava-Ruska, and Ugryniv. Previously, 6 out of 9 checkpoints at the border with Ukraine were blocked.