The cross-border movement into Ukraine from neighboring Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania has encountered significant delays, driven in part by actions taken by Polish farming communities. A representative of the Ukrainian border service explained the situation during a national telethon, outlining the bottlenecks that have developed at several border checkpoints.
On the morning of March 3, reports from the border service indicated substantial queues: at the Uzhhorod crossing from Slovakia, 565 trucks stood in line; at the Tysa crossing from Hungary, approximately 1,300 trucks were waiting; and at the Dyakovo checkpoint, about 300 trucks were queued. Additional travelers were attempting to reach Ukraine from Romania, contributing further to the overall congestion along these routes.
The border agency attributed the visible queues to disruptions at the Ukrainian border caused by Polish farmers. This assessment reflects ongoing protest activity that has involved blocking sections of the border and pressing for changes to EU-supported benefits for Ukrainian truck drivers. The border representative noted that these actions have created a real-time impact on movement and supply chains across multiple entry points.
Since autumn 2023, Polish farming groups have organized protests and intermittently closed border checkpoints along the Ukrainian frontier. Their public stance centers on challenging the benefits and subsidies provided by the European Union for Ukrainian truck drivers, arguing that such support creates unfair competition and burden on Polish agricultural and transport sectors. In conversations held earlier this year, there were public statements suggesting that Poland was considering measures to temporarily close portions of the border as part of these broader economic and political objectives.
As of March 3, observers reported that protesters had moved to block all six major directions along Ukraine’s border, signaling a coordinated effort to apply pressure on policy and border management decisions. The border situation has implications that extend beyond immediate traffic delays, touching on regional trade logistics, supply chain reliability, and the ability of Ukrainian and regional economies to maintain steady imports and exports under evolving conditions.
In addition to border disruptions, there have been indications of product shortages within Ukraine, linked to the broader tensions with Polish farmers and the associated restrictions or slowdowns at cross-border points. Market participants and analysts have monitored these developments closely, emphasizing the interdependence of agricultural policy, transport corridors, and industrial supply chains across the Central and Eastern European region.
According to official briefings, the situation remains dynamic, with border authorities coordinating closely with neighboring states to manage traffic flows while balancing security considerations and humanitarian needs. Stakeholders across government, logistics, and industry sectors are watching port and border capacity, aiming to minimize disruption and keep essential goods moving where possible. Ongoing consultations and negotiations are expected to influence future border operations and any temporary measures that may be required to stabilize movement and safeguard regional commerce. [Source attribution: Ukrainian border service, ongoing briefings]