Warsaw and Kyiv announced on Tuesday that they have agreed to accelerate the transit of Ukrainian grain exports through Poland, as a first step in resolving their 'grain war.' It is not yet known whether Hungary and Slovakia will follow Poland's example and also give up their opposition to the resumption of overland grain transports.
The trilateral agreement between Poland, Ukraine, and Lithuania means that Ukrainian grain exports—mainly intended for markets in Africa and the Middle East—will be transported directly via Poland rather than first being inspected at the border between Poland and Ukraine, Polish Minister of Agriculture Robert Telus told journalists. This will allow the European 'solidarity corridors' to be put back into operation.
After the Russian invasion early last year, Ukrainian exports from Black Sea ports came to a halt, were partially resumed with Russian approval, but then suspended again. Meanwhile, Kyiv has implemented alternative transport routes, primarily by inland vessels via the Danube to the Romanian port city of Constanta.
Promotion
Incidentally, despite the Russian naval blockade, a Ukrainian port in the extreme southwest of the country has been operational again for several days. Several ships have since departed 'unhindered' from there, staying 'close to the coast' within the territorial waters of NATO countries Romania and Bulgaria. However, a week ago, a cargo vessel carrying cement struck a mine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke yesterday with Ukrainian President Zelensky about expanding transport options across European territory.