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The two-day protest of Polish farmers on the border with Ukraine is gaining momentum.The main demands of the protesters have no direct connection with Ukraine, but the situation remains tense ,Time Ukraine Israel portal reports, citing Liga.
The beginning of the protest and its consequences
On Sunday, 24 November, at around 10:00 a.m., a protest by Polish farmers began at the Medyka-Shehyni checkpoint. The organisers say that the protest will last 48 hours, but do not rule out the possibility of its extension. The blocking of part of the border does not affect the movement of cars and buses, so civilian traffic will not experience significant delays. However, trucks stuck between the protesters and the border were able to continue their journey to Ukraine.
Reasons for the protest: taxes and international agreements
The protesting farmers are opposed to the increase in agricultural taxes, which significantly hampers their operations. In addition, the protest is against the free trade agreement between the EU and South American countries. According to Roman Kondorov, co-organiser of the protest and leader of the Subcarpathian branch of the association “Deceived Village”, the rallies have no direct connection with Ukraine. The farmers are seeking to draw attention to the problems that arise from economic agreements and their impact on local farms.
Previous protests and new threats
This is not the first time that Polish farmers have blocked the border with Ukraine. In April 2024, a multi-month blockade, which also concerned the EU’s agricultural policy, ended. Already in May of that year, farmers organised a one-day protest at the Dovhobychiv-Uhryniv border crossing. These actions underline the ongoing tensions caused by EU economic decisions that are felt at the level of Polish farmers.
Legal context and government response
Scandals related to the protests of Polish farmers cannot be ignored. In October 2024, the prosecutor’s office in the Polish city of Gliwice filed an indictment against two people who, during a protest, publicly made provocative calls against Russia, asking “Putin to deal with Ukraine”. This case drew attention to the radicalism of some protesters and raised the question of the need to control such statements.
Conclusions: is the situation likely to escalate?
Polish farmers continue to fight for their economic interests, and this protest may be only part of the ongoing struggle against the EU’s tax and trade agreements. At the same time, the situation on the border with Ukraine should not lead to an escalation of tensions between the two countries, as the protest is not directly related to Ukrainian internal issues. However, based on previous cases, the protests may have unpredictable consequences for the relations between Poland, Ukraine and the European Union.
