Slovakia, Ukraine: Unionized truck drivers resume indefinite protest and blockade at Vysne Nemecke-Uzhhorod border crossing point on Dec. 11

Slovak truck drivers affiliated with the Union of Motor Carriers of Slovakia (UNAS) restarted a blockade of freight transport from Ukraine at the Vysne Nemecke-Uzhhorod border crossing point at around 15:00 Dec. 11. The purpose of the demonstration and blockade is to demand restrictions on Ukrainian truckers' access to the EU; such restrictions were removed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Protest organizers have vowed that their blockade would not impact personal vehicular transport via the border crossing and would continue until their demands are met. Authorities have reportedly deployed a heightened security presence to the border crossing to monitor the demonstration and flow of traffic.

Officials will likely maintain a heightened security presence at the border crossing for the duration of the protest and accompanying blockade. The blockade will probably cause traffic disruptions on nearby roads and increased congestion at alternative border crossings connecting the two countries. The blockade may also result in temporary shortages of some goods in Slovakia. Clashes between security forces and demonstrating truck drivers cannot be ruled out, especially if authorities attempt to forcibly disperse the protesters.