Poland considers closing border to goods from Ukraine Separatists in Transnistria are likely to ask Russia for “protection” against Moldova

Poland no longer rules out temporarily closing the border with Ukraine to goods traffic.

The background is the ongoing farmers’ protest against the import of cheaper agricultural products from neighboring countries. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in Warsaw on Wednesday that his government is holding talks with the Ukrainian side. However, closing the border can only be a temporary measure.

“I am prepared to make difficult decisions when it comes to the border with Ukraine, always in consultation with Kiev, so that unnecessary tensions do not arise. But we have to find a long-term solution,” Tusk said.

Farmers in Poland have been protesting for weeks against EU agricultural policy and the import of products from Ukraine. They want to prevent cheaper Ukrainian grain from reaching the domestic market. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago, Brussels suspended all import tariffs and quotas on agricultural products from Ukraine to help the country economically.

On Thursday, Tusk and Agriculture Minister Czeslaw Siekierski want to meet in Warsaw for negotiations with representatives of farmers’ organizations. “We will discuss possible grain subsidies and other measures to sell Polish grain as quickly as possible.”

According to him, the state can help purchase this grain, so that Polish grain becomes more attractive in terms of price than Ukrainian grain. (sda/dpa/lyn)