Poland and Romania Reject Ukraine’s Grain Transit Expansion Request

Poland and Romania have rejected Ukraine’s request to boost grain transit through their territories, despite Ukrainian efforts to increase export volumes. Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy Taras Vysotsky urged European partners to facilitate exports and provide €1.1 billion for logistics costs, citing ongoing attacks on Ukrainian ports that have disrupted grain shipments.

Romania’s Minister Barna Tanczos explained that Romanian ports are already operating at full capacity due to high grain volumes and low Danube water levels. While Romania has a memorandum with Ukraine to improve border crossings and rail connections, it cannot significantly expand port capacity. Poland, meanwhile, has no plans to increase its infrastructure for Ukrainian grain transit, according to Ministry of Infrastructure spokesperson Anna Szumanska.

Vysotsky warned that without revenue from grain sales, Ukrainian farmers may struggle to buy seeds for winter crops, potentially reducing sowing areas by 35-40%. European Commissioner Christoph Hansen mentioned the possibility of a joint EU response but did not commit to specific actions. Germany has offered to support Ukrainian exports through its and Dutch ports, though the situation remains unresolved at the EU level.