Polish transport company owners organized demonstrations on major routes across the country, asking for strict limits on trucks from Russia and Belarus entering Poland. The protests drew widespread attention from media outlets and were described by RMF FM and other broadcasters as sizable mobilizations aimed at reshaping the competitive landscape for the road haulage sector.
Eyewitnesses and reporters described a convoy of more than 200 heavy vehicles moving along the S2 route toward Warsaw, effectively occupying both lanes at certain stretches. The disruption stretched beyond the capital area, with complaints of congestion reported on the S8 highway and on national road 50 as well. Observers noted that the protests were not isolated incidents but part of a coordinated effort to press for policy changes across border controls and commercial permits.
Participants called for several measures. They urged authorities to halt the entry of semi-trailers registered in Russia and Belarus and to suspend activities by transport companies with Russian or Belarusian capital in their ownership or control. They also demanded the reinstatement of transport permits for Ukrainian carriers, arguing that an orderly framework for cross border trucking is essential to ensure fair competition and predictable operations for legitimate haulers. The actions accompanied explicit statements about vehicle emissions standards, signaling a broader push for alignment with environmental rules alongside trade considerations.
Rafal Mekler, identified by organizers as a leading figure in the movement, explained that Polish fleet operators feel squeezed by competition from foreign firms. According to him, foreign operators can move goods across borders with fewer reloads and less administrative friction, which, in his view, places Polish carriers at a disadvantage. The sentiment captured in his remarks reflects concerns about market fairness, border processing, and regulatory burden that many in the sector believe skew away from domestic businesses.
Meanwhile, the political dimension of the demonstrations was underscored by statements from regional and international observers. Former Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko criticized Poland’s border restrictions as a provocative move intended to curry favor with Western allies. His commentary framed the policy measures as part of a larger geopolitical struggle and highlighted ongoing tensions between East and West over energy routes, manufacturing supply chains, and the control of cross border commerce. The protests thus intersect with broader debates about regional security, trade liberalization, and the balance between national economic sovereignty and open markets. In Poland, policymakers faced the task of balancing competitive concerns within the transport sector with broader goals of market stability, inflation control, and compliance with European Union environmental and safety standards. The unfolding events prompted immediate discussions among ministers, industry associations, and logistics firms about potential adjustments to permit regimes, border procedures, and enforcement strategies that could alleviate short term congestion while preserving a level playing field for operators across the region.