President of the European Commission expresses support for Polish farmers
23 February 2024 17:29
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that “Europe supports Polish farmers”. She wrote about this in X during her visit to Poland, reports 
“Europe supports Polish farmers. #NextGenEU provides €1.4 billion directly to local producers in Poland. There will be more. We also support increasing Ukrainian exports across the Black Sea to the world to relieve your land border,”
– she wrote.
NextGenerationEU is the EU's €800 billion temporary instrument to support economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and build a greener, more digital and more sustainable future.
The European Commissioner also announced the unblocking of €137 billion in EU funding that had been frozen due to violations of the rule of law in Poland. According to von der Leyen, Poland deserved it:
“We are impressed by Poland’s efforts to restore the rule of law as a pillar of its society. These efforts are crucial. Next week, the European Commission will put forward a decision on the EU’s allocation of up to 137 billion euros to Poland.”
These statements were made against the backdrop of misunderstandings between Ukraine and the Polish government, which actually supports Polish farmers in their blockade of the Ukrainian-Polish border.
Border blockade
on 9 February 2024, Polish farmers launched a new nationwide strike and blockade of the border with Ukraine, which will last until 10 March. It was initiated by the independent farmers’ trade union Solidarity. Starting from 12 February, they plan to block all checkpoints. The main demand of the protesters is to cancel the preferential trade regime with Ukraine and return the permit system for importing goods into Poland.
Problems at the border began on 6 November 2023, when Polish transport companies began blocking truck traffic at three major checkpoints on the Ukrainian border: “Korczowa-Krakowiec, Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska, and Dorohusk-Yagodyn. One of the requirements was to reinstate the permits for Ukrainian carriers that had been cancelled under the agreement with the EU by 30 June 2024.
On6 January, truck traffic to the Medyka-Shehyni border crossingin Poland resumed. Three other border crossing points were opened on 17 January, namely Dorohusk – Yagodyn, Hrebenne – Rava-Ruska, and Korczowa – Krakivets.
In Romania, on 13 and 14 January, local farmers blocked the movement of Ukrainian trucks through the Siret checkpoint, and on 15 January, they began blocking the Vicovu de Sus checkpoint. on 18 January, Romanian farmers began blockading the Dyakove-Halmeu checkpoint. However, as of 20 January, these checkpoints were opened.
Currently, the blockade of the border continues – “Polish farmers” have blocked truck traffic at six checkpoints. According to the State Border Guard Service, there are more than 2,500 trucks in the queues.
Meanwhile, Poland has already imposed an embargo on Ukrainian grain, according to Polish Deputy Agriculture Minister Michal Kolodziejczak.
Polish Minister of Development and Technology Krzysztof Hetman, in turn, said that Poland could impose an embargo on all Ukrainian agricultural products.
Polish farmers will also block the German border.
