Poland, Ukraine: Truck drivers reach agreement with government to suspend protest blockades at border crossings until March 1 /update 9

Polish truck drivers have reached an agreement with governmental authorities to suspend their protest blockades at border crossings with Ukraine until at least March 1. The agreement reportedly stipulates that truckers will cease their protests at the Korczowa-Krakovets, Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska, and Dorohusk-Yahodyn border crossings from Jan. 17, allowing Ukrainian truckers to enter the EU, in exchange for several concessions; protesters ended their blockade of the Medyka-Shehyni border crossing as of Jan. 6. The deal's terms include increased road checks to better ensure that Ukrainian truck drivers do not conduct unauthorized activities in the EU, monitoring of joint Polish-Ukrainian solutions regarding EU-licensed drivers operating in Ukraine, and negotiations with EU and EC officials. Despite the agreement, Polish truckers have threatened to resume their protest activity and blockades if authorities fail to meet the conditions of the deal.

Authorities will likely maintain a heightened security posture in the vicinity of Polish-Ukrainian border crossings to monitor the flow of cross-border traffic as well as any renewed protest activity that may materialize. Border crossing delays will likely continue over the short term as border officials work through traffic backlogs caused by the blockades. Temporary shortages of goods remain possible over the coming weeks.