Polish court bans carriers from blocking border crossing points with Ukraine: final decision
A key court hearing took place in Poland that has significant implications for cross-border logistics and relations with the neighboring country. The District Court in Lublin issued a final ruling prohibiting Polish carriers from conducting any protest actions involving blocking border crossing points with Ukraine, specifically the "Yagodyn-Dorohusk" crossing. This means that any attempts to close this important and busiest border checkpoint connecting our countries are now officially forbidden by the court. Background of the conflict: previous bans and protest actions At the end of May, the situation around the "Yagodyn-Dorohusk" border crossing on the Ukrainian border began to escalate. On May 12, Polish carriers launched a large-scale protest against new procedures and delays caused by the electronic queue system for trucks introduced by Ukrainian authorities. They announced plans to allow only one freight vehicle per hour to enter or leave, citing dissatisfaction with the queue that developed under the new rules and procedures on the Ukrainian side. At that time, the protest drew attention among diplomatic circles and the transportation community, as stopping or blocking the border posed risks to international transportation and EU-Ukrainian connections. The planned and executed blockade provoked negative reactions from Ukrainian communication and information authorities. Ukrainian officials issued warnings about possible disruptions to transit operations and even threats to the stable functioning of customs and border services. Consequently, the protest actions immediately sparked diplomatic protests and calls for a peaceful resolution. Court ruling: decision of the Lublin District Court According to information from the "European Pravda" portal, citing Polish radio RMF24, on Monday, the district court in Lublin made a decision overturning the previous permit to hold a mass gathering necessary for organizing the blockade of the "Yagodyn-Dorohusk" crossing zone. This decision was appealed by the city authorities of Dorohusk — the main organizer of the confrontation. The case was considered in a closed session on Tuesday. Magistrate Magdalena Kuchinska stated that the court altered the previous ruling, confirming the mayor’s decision during the May meeting — a ban on blocking the border. She noted that the court fully supports the arguments presented and does not intend to revisit the decision. "The appeal court’s decision is final and cannot be canceled," she added. This means that the organizers of the protest are required to cease any actions that obstruct border crossing and must continue to adhere to legal regulations. Reaction of protest participants and further actions Rafał Mekler, one of the organizers, mentioned that he has not yet received official notifications from competent authorities but assured that he would comply with the court’s decision. "We are awaiting official information. If it comes, we will definitely follow through — acting within the law," he told journalists. It is worth recalling that before the protest actions in mid-May, Polish carriers prepared their own plan of action — they announced the start of a blockade at the "Yagodyn-Dorohusk" crossing, promising to allow only one truck per hour for entry and exit. The organizers cited dissatisfaction with the queue situation and delays caused by new customs procedures in Ukraine as motivation. Meanwhile, Polish authorities and Ukrainian border structures emphasized that further protests could last several months and would require diplomatic resolution. Escalation of the situation at the border: consequences and prospects Despite the court ruling and the ban on blocking, the issue remains relevant. Ukrainian customs and border security officials warn that similar actions by Polish carriers could recur, especially given the prolonged unresolved conflict over crossing procedures and heightened tensions between the countries. At the same time, authorities promise to strengthen control and insist on law compliance, which should contribute to regional stability and prevent destabilization at border links. Experts suggest that the final court decision provides clarity and a legal basis for preventing similar protest actions in the future. However, it is also crucial to remember that cross-border cooperation should be based on dialogue and mutual respect for the interests of all parties. Summary Thus, the Polish court confirmed the ban on blocking the "Yagodyn-Dorohusk" crossing by Polish carriers, closing the question of the possibility of such actions repeating in the future. This represents an important step toward stabilizing border crossing and improving mutual understanding between the countries, which have long-standing economic and political ties. Nonetheless, the situation leaves open the question of further dialogue in the field of cross-border logistics and cooperation to prevent new conflicts and ensure the efficient movement of goods and passengers across the shared border.