Truck queues grow at Ukraine-Slovakia border amid blockade concerns

Truck queues have lengthened along the Ukraine-Slovakia border due to a blockade situation. Ukrainian customs officials noted an upsurge in truck lines from the Polish side, raising concerns that Slovakia and Hungary might join Poland’s blockade.

As per Senghetovska, trucks continue to arrive from Polish checkpoints, causing a buildup in the queue. “Yesterday, on November 16, at the Uzhhorod checkpoint on the Slovakian border, we counted 900 vehicles. The line is moving slowly… we’re processing 250 vehicles, reflecting our daily capacity. The number of vehicles crossing per day remains unchanged.”

While drivers wait up to two weeks at the Polish border, they can cross into Slovakia in three to four days, directing them to the Uzhhorod checkpoint. Customs officers in Zakarpattia also redirect drivers to the Hungarian Tisa checkpoint, known for higher customs capacities. However, most drivers prefer the Uzhhorod checkpoint on the Slovakian border due to a 150 km additional distance and weight restrictions on Hungarian highways.

Zakarpattia customs officers hope EU sanctions will resolve the Polish border situation; otherwise, they fear Slovakia and Hungary might follow Poland’s lead. Representatives from the Union of Slovak Road Hauliers (UNAS) briefly blocked the Vyshne Nemecke border crossing from the Slovak side in solidarity with Polish protesters. Slovak hauliers threatened a full border blockade with Ukraine unless the European Commission intervenes. They demand Brussels to issue permits for Ukrainian transport, citing competition issues faced by European companies and echoing demands at the Polish-Ukrainian border. The European Commission warned that one of the key demands by Polish hauliers, involving the border blockade with Ukraine, isn’t legally viable.