Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov issued a demand to Poland, urging authorities to identify and penalize those accountable for the destruction of 160 tonnes of Ukrainian grain during an incident at a Polish railway station.
The attack, occurring amid protests, was condemned as an act of “impunity and irresponsibility” by Kubrakov, who stressed the importance of both nations finding and punishing the perpetrators.
The destruction of Ukrainian grain at the railway station near Bydgoszcz, eastern Poland, marked the fourth such occurrence in recent weeks, according to earlier reports.
Polish farmers, protesting against what they perceive as unfair competition from Ukraine, have been engaged in widespread demonstrations alongside European counterparts, a movement sparked by the influx of inexpensive grain from the east.
Encouraged by previous nationalist administrations, Polish farmers and truckers have staged blockades at border crossings and motorways, prompting concerns among current policymakers about confronting the protests.
The government in Warsaw has been cautious, wary of potential far-right gains and public support for the demonstrations ahead of European Parliament elections in June.
Despite tensions, Ukraine has sought to maintain close ties with Poland while also advocating for its businesses adversely affected by the blockades.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal outlined a five-step plan aimed at fostering mutual understanding and reaching a compromise to alleviate the economic impact on both nations, proposing measures to restrict certain exports and appealing to the EU for support.
Meanwhile, the blockade’s ramifications extend beyond Poland, with European farmers from France, Germany, and Belgium among those protesting against foreign competition and other grievances.
In Brussels, farmers surrounded the EU headquarters as ministers convened to address farming regulations and red tape contributing to the demonstrations, underscoring the broader implications of the protests across the bloc.
