Given the current circumstances, with attention solely fixated on the challenges faced by Polish farmers, prominent Ukrainian and Polish business associations stress the importance of prioritizing facts and figures over emotions. The blockade at the border hurts the Ukrainian economy but also strains relations between the two countries and undermines Poland’s reputation as a reliable partner.
The border blockade is illegal and directly harms the Ukrainian economy while jeopardizing national security. Ukraine, defending European values and stability, demands the immediate unlocking of the border for the free movement of goods.
Kateryna Glazkova, Executive Director of the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs, proposed relying on the rational component of this fabricated conflict and looking at facts and figures.
Despite being a big agricultural state, Ukraine currently has 30% of its land under occupation or unsuitable for use due to landmines and hostilities. Nonetheless, Ukrainian farmers paid 2 billion euros in taxes last year. Blocking shipments to Ukraine is almost a catastrophe as the entire economy suffers. The passage of military and humanitarian cargo is not a convincing argument, as the timely receipt of raw materials and components, including those for defense enterprises, is crucial for a warring country. Taxes from Ukrainian companies are the sole source of funding for the army, which protects both Ukrainians and Europeans.
Seamless grain imports from Russia to Poland and the import of nitrogen fertilizers are serious issues that need to be solved. Ukraine demands immediate EU sanctions on Russian grain and nitrogen fertilizer that are freely imported to Poland, highlighting their importance for the economy and security.
Poland benefits from trade with Ukraine, as its exports to Ukraine exceed imports by twice.
Ukraine is the most advantageous partner for Poland outside the EU, ranking first among countries in terms of export volume, which is a significant factor for the Polish economy.
Before the war, Polish-Ukrainian trade amounted to 10.7 billion euros, with 6.4 billion euros being Poland’s exports to Ukraine.
In 2022, it reached 17.44 billion euros, with Poland’s exports totaling 10.2 billion euros.
In 2023, it amounted to 16 billion euros, with 11.5 billion euros being Polish exports.
Poland’s positive balance in trade with Ukraine has reached a historic record, and this should be taken into account.
Jacek Piechota, President of the Polish-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (Poland), continued the tone of rationality and laid out figures on the economic damage.
“We appeal to business organizations to make the voice of entrepreneurs stronger. Already on November 25, 2023, we wrote in a position paper of the Polish-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce that the border blockade serves Russia. We understand the very difficult situation of farmers, but a protest in the form of a border blockade is unacceptable. Blocking the border means dramatic economic losses”.
Andrzej Rudka, Advisor to the Board of The Polish Confederation Lewiatan (Poland), said
“Contracts between Polish and Ukrainian partners are already being suspended and terminated, leading to a high degree of uncertainty in economic relations. By closing the border, we are distancing ourselves from future processes, including Ukraine’s recovery. Poland could have become a hub for the European Union, but unfortunately, the current situation is driving us away from cooperation and the formation of positive bilateral relations.”
Markiyan Malskyy, attorney-at-law, partner at “Kochański & Partners”, emphasized the legal component of border blockade and assessed the consequences from a legal perspective.
emphasized the legal component of blocking the borders and assessing the consequences from a legal point of view. Holding a peaceful assembly and blocking roads, bridges and borders are different events. While the right to assembly is guaranteed by the constitution, it can be restricted by law. Affected companies will be forced to go to court to seek compensation for damages from both the organizers of the blockades and local governments that do not act in favor of business.
Maciej Wronski, President of the Polish Association of Transport and Logistics, emphasized that their association opposes the blockade of the border, although they understand the situation. There are 105,000 entrepreneurs engaged in road transportation in Poland. Only local companies from the voivodeships bordering Ukraine are participating in the blockade.
“Polish carriers used to carry out 25% of the transportation between Poland and Ukraine, in 2023 this figure fell by 5%. ” It was also noted that the Polish-Ukrainian border is also the border of the European Union and should not be forgotten.
As a result of the press conference, The Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs, Lewiatan Confederation, and the Polish-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce put forward joint demands:
- Immediately unblock the border crossings on the Polish-Ukrainian border. Ensure unimpeded movement of goods in both directions. Additionally, ensuring unrestricted movement of goods along all major highways and railway lines is essential.
- Establish a trilateral platform between Poland, Ukraine, and the EU to address the current situation and develop joint steps for anticipation. Considering the interests of both Ukraine and Poland and most importantly, in compliance with EU values. Such a platform has already been proposed by our Prime Minister at the level of government officials, and we propose to create a similar platform at the level of leading business associations.
- Impose sanctions by the EU on the export of Russian grain, agricultural products, and nitrogen fertilizers because everything that is happening now benefits only one person – Putin.
Therefore, it is crucial to take constructive measures immediately to restore the free movement of goods and ensure stability in the region.
