UKRAINE said today it had not received official demands from Polish transport companies, which have blocked three major border crossings, to protest what they said was unfair competition from their war-torn neighbour.

After Russia invaded Ukraine, the European Union waived a system of permits for Ukrainian transport companies to enter the bloc.

Carrier companies in Poland, an EU member that borders Ukraine, said the liberalisation of the rules triggered an influx of competitors, hitting their revenue.

“As of today, official demands from Polish carriers have not been handed over to any representative of the Ukrainian side,” Ukraine’s Reconstruction Ministry said.

The ministry said it understood Polish carriers wanted to return to a system of separate permits for Ukrainian trucks, but only gathered this “from information available in the media and social media networks”.

“In the presence of an official and reasoned position from the Polish partners, we are open to a constructive dialogue,” it said.

Apart from reinstating EU entry permits, Polish truckers have also criticised lengthy procedures upon returning to Poland from Ukraine.

Ukraine said the protest was damaging to both countries.

Poland has been one of Ukraine’s staunchest backers in the war, providing it with weapons and welcoming refugees.

But several disputes have strained ties in recent months, including a spat over Ukrainian grain exports. – AFP, November 7, 2023.