Polish farmers threaten to block entire border with Ukraine after December 10
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
Polish farmers may block all border crossing points with Ukraine after the resumption of protests, which could happen after December 10 if the Polish government fails to meet their demands, reports the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita.
The threats from Polish farmers to block all border crossing points on the Polish-Ukrainian border were made during their negotiations with Poland's Minister of Agriculture, Czesław Sekeriski, in Medyka.
The Polish official stated that by December 10, he would prepare a response to the protesters' demands.
At the same time, Polish farmers expect strong opposition from Warsaw regarding the free trade agreement between the EU and South American countries.
According to the Polish newspaper, they are concerned that inaction could lead to the influx of agricultural products from Mercosur countries into the Polish market.
Additionally, Polish farmers are demanding that the government maintain the agricultural tax at the same level as last year for 2024.
Border blockade by Polish farmers
On November 23, Polish farmers blocked the Medyka-Shehyni border crossing point with Ukraine. The protesters restricted traffic specifically for trucks but allowed cars and buses to pass.
The farmers explained their strike by the failure to address their demands regarding taxes and the EU's free trade agreement with South American countries. None of the reasons for the protests directly involve Ukraine.
According to RBC-Ukraine, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine stated that the protest by Polish farmers is aimed at pressuring their government.
It was also reported that on November 24, Polish farmers unblocked the Ukrainian Shehyni-Medyka crossing point.
Meanwhile, on November 25, it became known that Polish farmers might resume blocking border crossing points with Ukraine in December. A representative of the protesters stated that these strikes are likely to be much larger in scale.
