Polish farmers are protesting against unfair conditions of competition with Ukrainians, who can freely supply their grain to European markets at lower prices. They are dumping Ukrainian grain on the rails and not allowing transport to pass. In response, Ukrainian hauliers accused the Poles of “betraying European values,” Reuters writes.
Warsaw has long supported Kiev, but relations between the two countries are strained by protests by Polish farmers who complain of unfair competition, Reuters writes. New demonstrations took place in Poland on Tuesday, with television footage showing protesters at the Medyka border crossing opening railway wagons and pouring grain onto the tracks. Ukrainian Agrarian Policy Minister Mykola Solskyy said that the grain was bound for Germany and could not reach the Polish market.
Moreover, farmers are already demonstrating across the European Union, expressing their displeasure at the restrictions imposed on them due to the EU’s fight against climate change, as well as unfair competition from Ukraine. The protesters’ tractors carried placards saying “If grain comes from Ukraine, Polish farmers will go bankrupt.”
The organiser of the protests at the Doruhusk border crossing said: “In my opinion, the border should be closed. Procedures and systems should be clarified, and then maybe it can be reopened, but not according to the rules we have now. Because now you can import whatever you want, as much as you want… into Poland.” Therefore, even buses were allowed through the border only one per hour.
In response, Ukrainian hauliers began their round-the-clock demonstration at three border crossings. Their trucks bear slogans: “If Ukraine loses, Poland will lose” and “Blockade of Ukraine is a betrayal of European values”. At the same time, the Polish authorities say they are negotiating with both the farmers and Kiev.