Polish truckers have blocked Ukrainian border crossings in protest of Ukrainian drivers undercutting Western rates. Latvia has offered to provide assistance in resolving the standoff, which has now caused over 2,000 vehicles to be stuck at the border. The Latvian Foreign Minister, Krisjanis Karins, called on Poland to solve the situation, which has resulted in two truckers dying.
The two also discussed the upcoming EU summit, which will consider starting talks about Ukraine’s membership. Karins expressed his support for Ukraine, stating that Ukraine belongs to Europe and supports starting EU accession talks with Ukraine this year. Polish truckers blocked three border crossing points on November 6 in protest of the liberalisation of EU transport rules for Ukrainian trucks. The EU has warned the Polish government to ensure the end of the blockade.
The European Commission recommended formal membership talks with Ukraine, which will require consensus from 27 members at a European Council summit in December. Hungary has given strong signs that it could block Ukraine’s membership.