Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

Ukraine's PM faces no-show from Polish officials amid farmers protests

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 24 Feb 2024 00:36
4 Min Read

Jan Grabiec, Chief of Staff to Tusk, informed reporters that Warsaw had decided not to dispatch a delegation because holding a meeting "makes no sense at the moment".

  • x
  • polish farmers
    Polish farmers drive tractors in a convoy in Minsk Mazowiecki, Poland, on Tuesday Feb. 20, 2024, as they intensify a nationwide protest against the import of Ukrainian foods and European Union environmental policies (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

In an effort to address the ongoing protests at the Ukrainian-Polish borders, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal on Friday traveled to the countries' borders where he was supposed to meet with Polish officials.

However, Shmygal reported that no officials from Poland's side came to attend the meeting, noting that work is still underway to address the situation. 

"Unfortunately, Polish government officials did not come," Shmygal told reporters. "But we publicly appealed to them, gave our proposals, and will continue this work."

Shmygal added that Ukraine had been in communication with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and stressed the urgency of resolving the crisis "as soon as possible".

The government team visited the Krakovets checkpoint on the border with Poland. Ukrainian grain does not reach 🇵🇱 market. We want Polish farmers and Polish society to hear this. We are offering 🇺🇦's plan to open the border. It is a plan of mutual understanding consisting of 5… pic.twitter.com/8m32rNw9XN

— Denys Shmyhal (@Denys_Shmyhal) February 23, 2024

While Poland remains a steadfast ally of Ukraine in its war with Russia, recent tensions over farming issues have strained relations. This includes farmers blocking three border crossings in protest against the low prices of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products.

Ukraine's head of state Volodymyr Zelensky suggested the border meeting and issued a statement indicating that Ukraine's grain was not supplied to the Polish market "at the request of the Polish side".

"We are willing and will do everything to resolve this issue," he added.

However, Jan Grabiec, Chief of Staff to Tusk, informed AFP that Warsaw had not dispatched a delegation because holding a meeting "makes no sense at the moment". He added that both parties were "far" from reaching a resolution to end the standoff.

"Unfortunately, there is not yet a Ukrainian proposition that allows to hope for an end to the deadlock in commercial relations," Grabiec said.

Related News

Russian drones in airspace were 'duds': Polish FM

Poland deploys jets after drone activity near Ukraine border

Read more: Kiev says Polish border blockade threatens Ukrainian security

The government in Warsaw has been cautious not to provoke Polish farmers, as Tusk informed reporters on Thursday that negotiations were ongoing. He mentioned that the two governments have scheduled a meeting in Warsaw on March 28 and emphasized the importance of continuing discussions at a technical and organizational level.

On Friday, Polish authorities reported that Ukrainian grain had spilled on a Polish railway near the border, marking the second such incident this week.

Why is this happening?

The core of farmers' grievance lies in the exemption granted to Ukrainian truckers from acquiring permits to cross the Polish border since February 2022, making their services more cost-effective and appealing to customers.

Moreover, farmers in neighboring countries have complained about product surpluses affecting domestic prices. 

In September 2023, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary decided to impose their own restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports after the European Commission opted not to extend a ban affecting Ukraine's five EU neighbors. 

So far, Poland has still not lifted the ban it imposed on Ukrainian grain imports but has not yet felt any consequences despite having violated one of the basic principles of the EU's trade policy, according to Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita.

The report further stated that Kiev has still not withdrawn its claims with the WTO over Poland's ban on Ukrainian grain imports.

The European Commission proposed extending tariff-free entry for Ukrainian agricultural products for another year starting in June, but with a number of measures to protect Europe's own farmers.

The WTO case is still open, and the dispute remains unresolved, despite the European Commission's recent move, the report notes. 

Read more: Polish FM worried about farmers using pro-Russian slogans in protests

  • Poland
  • Denys Shmyhal
  • Farmers
  • Protests
  • Ukrainian grain
  • Ukraine

Most Read

Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A Hezbollah supporter who lost his sight in a pager attack carried out by "Israel" on Sept. 17, 2024, covers his eyes with a red headband inscribed with the name "Hussein" during Ashoura, July 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'We Have Recovered': Lebanon marks 1st anniversary of Pager Attack

The Arab neighborhood of El Za'im, on the outskirts of east Occupied Al-Quds in the West Bank, near where Israeli government says housing units will be built as part of the E1 settlement project, Thursday, August 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Palestine

'Israel’s' deliberate policies drive West Bank economy toward collapse

Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Politics

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder resigns over parent company curbing activism

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll
US & Canada

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS