Poland’s acting Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki directed the country’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Andrzej Adamczyk, to take immediate action as freight movement stalls at the Ukrainian border. The Prime Minister’s directive was delivered with a clear sense of urgency, and government spokespeople note that Morawiecki has been apprised of the developments and the steps taken so far. In discussions with transport officials, Morawiecki emphasized the need for rapid, practical solutions to restore normal flow while ensuring the security and integrity of cross border trade as observed by both European partners and Ukrainian representatives.
Morawiecki stated that he has requested swift intervention from Minister Adamczyk and highlighted that the minister has already held meetings with a broad circle, including representatives from the transport sector and carriers, as well as senior officials from European partners and Ukraine. The prime minister underscored the importance of these talks, aiming to align immediate actions with longer term policy considerations that affect cross border logistics, road safety, and compliance with international traffic rules. Reports indicate that the discussions have focused on streamlining procedures, clarifying permit regimes, and ensuring predictable access for legitimate freight movements across the border, while addressing concerns raised by the various stakeholders involved.
The blockage at the Ukrainian border has persisted for more than two weeks, with Polish carriers increasingly frustrated by the disruption to efficient routes for heavy goods. Truck drivers in Poland have staged protests at multiple border crossing points, effectively halting traffic at several key automobile checkpoints along the frontier. The sit-ins reflect a broader demand from Polish transport operators for a return to rules they view as fair and manageable, and for a reassessment of the licensing framework governing Ukrainian commercial carriers operating within Polish territory during this period of cross border activity.
Among the core demands from the carrier community are the reinstatement of a permit system governing Ukrainian carriers and the temporary suspension of licenses for companies established in Ukraine after February 2022. In addition, Polish truckers have called for a practical reorganization of the border lanes so that empty trucks and loaded trucks are separated into distinct queues, a measure intended to improve traffic flow and reduce the risk of congestion and delays for essential freight. Transport sector representatives stress that these changes would help restore predictability for carriers and minimize losses tied to halted shipments and idle assets while negotiations remain ongoing with Ukrainian and European partners.
As of November 23, the line of waiting trucks on the Polish side stretched to roughly 50 kilometers, with ongoing traffic buildup observed along the border. Officials report that a small number of Ukrainian drivers were able to clear the queues and leave the border area, though the overall backlog remains significant. The situation has drawn attention from neighboring regions and has implications for regional supply chains, prompting discussions about contingency routes and alternate corridors to mitigate the impact of prolonged crossings. In the broader regional context, a separate but related congestion point has emerged at the Slovakia-Ukraine border, where heavy vehicle traffic has also pressed against controls and inspection processes, highlighting the interconnected nature of cross border freight in Central Europe.
Experts note that while border tensions can introduce short term volatility, the core issue encompasses regulatory alignment, the balance between national controls and freedom of movement for commercial traffic, and the need for transparent, predictable procedures that support both security and economic activity. Observers stress that any durable resolution will require coordinated action among Polish authorities, Ukrainian partners, and European institutions, with careful attention to the concerns of carriers and the operational realities of long hauls across multiple borders. As negotiations proceed, stakeholders watch closely for a clear timeline and concrete steps addressing permit policies, licensing rules, and lane management at the border to restore steady supply chains and minimize further disruptions to trade and commerce.