Poland: Farmers to resume blockade of Medyka border crossing with Ukraine

Polish farmers claim they have not received a signed guarantee from the prime minister that their requests would be fulfilled, thus they will restart their blockage at the Medyka border crossing with Ukraine on Thursday. The Polish farmers’ protest, which aims to obtain government subsidies for maize and prevent tax hikes, was put on hold on December 24, according to state-run news agency PAP. However, starting November 6, Polish truck drivers have persisted in blocking a number of border crossings with Ukraine in order to pressure the European Union (EU) to bring back a system that necessitates Ukrainian businesses obtaining permits in order to operate within the bloc. The same holds true for trucks from Europe who want to enter Ukraine. “We have not received written confirmation that our demands will be met, so we are continuing the protest,” farmers leader Roman Kondrow told PAP. According to Kondrow, Prime Minister Donald Tusk has not issued a signed statement, despite the fact that Agriculture Minister Czeslaw Siekierski had given a note assuring the farmers that their requests will be fulfilled. He further stated that they would only permit one truck to cross the crossing each hour. In December, Tusk expressed his belief that Poland was on the verge of ending the truckers’ protest. (With agency inputs)