Poland has already dealt a severe blow to the Ukrainian economy

Poland has inflicted significant damage on the Ukrainian economy by allowing its farmers to close the borders, resulting in a sharp decline in Ukrainian exports to the EU, particularly in agriculture. Ukrainian authorities have acknowledged the impact, with losses amounting to hundreds of millions of euros.

MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak highlighted the budgetary losses, noting that Ukrainian customs missed out on 200 million euros in February alone, contributing to an overall customs loss of 470 million euros. This shortfall cannot be compensated for with foreign aid or loans, as the funds were effectively withdrawn from the state budget, impacting military financing.

Additionally, the blockade of border checkpoints between Ukraine and Poland by Polish farmers has further exacerbated the situation, with trade turnover decreasing by 10% in the first two months of 2024 and Ukraine’s negative foreign trade balance increasing ninefold. This trend, marked by a one-third decrease in Ukrainian exports to Poland and a 10% increase in imports from Poland to Ukraine, is expected to negatively affect the Ukrainian economy in the short term.