'Grain was in transit to Germany': Ukraine responds to Poles dumped grain from train

Ukraine responds to an incident with a railroad car on the border with Poland (suspilne.media)

The grain carriage, which was overturned by Polish protesters near the Medyka-Shehyni checkpoint during the blockade of the railroad, was in transit to Germany. Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways – ed.) and the Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development have already responded.

Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development’s reaction

Oleksandr Kubrakov, Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, believes that “nobody benefits from spoiled grain. Such “actions” are a loss for everyone, except for the Russians, who are interested in destroying our countries and dividing civilized countries.”

“For 2 years, Ukrainian farmers have been harvesting grain in armour vests, under missile attacks and despite the danger of mines. The Ukrainian army has literally broken through a corridor for this grain across the Black Sea, and the world has already called it the Ukrainian Corridor. Up to 90% of our exports go through the Black Sea. It is a matter of our survival. And the survival of the world, which depends on Ukrainian grain, especially in Africa and Asia,” he says.

He reminds that 10 years ago, on Independence Square, hundreds of Ukrainians gave their lives for the right to live in a free and modern Europe.

“And we continue to believe that Europe is where labor is respected and partnership is valued,” the Minister adds.

Ukrzaliznytsia’s response

For its part, Ukrzaliznytsia says that it strictly adheres to the ban on grain imports to Poland imposed in April 2023 and only transits these cargoes through the neighboring country.

“Ukrainian cargo is heading to Germany in transit through Poland. All railcars at the border are checked by Polish regulatory authorities and sealed. This makes it impossible for Ukrainian grain to enter the Polish market,” the company says in a statement.

At the same time, Ukrzaliznytsia does not hide its indignation at such actions of Polish protesters and calls for an end to illegal actions.

“Such actions do not contribute to solving possible problems but play into the hands of the aggressor country. The company has now sent a corresponding appeal to Polish law enforcement agencies,” the Ukrainian railroaders add.

Background

Around noon on February 20, Polish protesters poured about 4 tons of grain from two-grain carriages waiting to be reloaded onto the narrow gauge tracks at Medyka station. These agricultural products were in transit to Germany.

Currently, according to Ukrzaliznytsia, about 40 Ukrainian freight cars with agricultural products are awaiting transshipment at the station. The Polish railroad and the Ukrainian Embassy in Poland were informed of the unauthorized interference with the railroad.

Read more about the situation at the Poland-Ukraine border in RBC-Ukraine’s report.