In protest, Polish farmers blocked a checkpoint on the border with Poland near Frankfurt am Oder. The protest blocks traffic for about 17,000 trucks that cross the Polish-German border every day.
What is known about the blockade of Germany's border
The blockade began at 1:00 p.m. on Feb 25, with protesters blocking traffic in both directions on the A2 highway in Świecko, which merges into the German A12 in Frankfurt am Oder.
This route is vital for international transportation.
At first, the farmers announced that the blockade would last until March 20. After negotiations with local authorities, companies and carriers, they held a 24-hour warning strike until 13:00 on February 26.
It is possible that the blockade will be extended or that another blockade will take place.
The Germans were warned about the strikes and urged to avoid this path. Lorries are also advised not to use the city bridge between Frankfurt and Slubice. There, German traders and truckers announced a protest action from 10:00 p.m. until noon on February 26.
Guido Noack of the East Brandenburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry told German RBB radio that he feared large-scale "transportation chaos" that could reach the Berlin outskirts. The official says that many drivers ignore intercity detours and still try to drive over a city bridge or a blocked road.
What is known about the Polish farmers' protests
On Feb 9, Polish farmers started blocking roads in Poland and checkpoints on the Polish-Ukrainian border.
During this time, protesters dumped Ukrainian grain from transport — trucks and cargo cars — several times. On Feb 18, they blocked the movement of passenger train No. 119 Kyiv — Chelm with 260 passengers on it.
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland 2014-2022 Andriy Deshchytsia noted that the dissatisfaction of Polish farmers is being used by those forces who want to quarrel between Ukraine and Poland. And Moscow has the greatest interest in this.
Against the background of the blockade of the western border of Ukraine by the Poles, Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed the government to be on the border with Poland until February 24. He also asked PM Donald Tusk to come there, urging Duda to support the government dialogue.
The Polish authorities agreed to a meeting, but in a different format — on Mar 28 in Warsaw at the level of representatives of the governments of Poland and Ukraine .
Polish carriers plan to join the farmers' protests and resume the blockade on the border with Ukraine starting March 1. The strikes officially ended in early January — the Polish government then made concessions and satisfied some of the protesters' demands.
