Farmers across Europe, including in Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, have launched widespread protests against European Union agricultural policies, rising fuel costs, and environmental regulations on February 20. The demonstrations have led to significant disruptions, including the blockade of the Polish-Ukrainian border, affecting Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russia and causing a security threat, with 3,000 trucks stuck. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the blockade, highlighting its impact on agricultural exports and calling for a resolution, noting it as an 'erosion of solidarity'. The protests have expanded to include grievances over the EU's Green Deal, unfair competition from abroad, particularly Ukraine, and the impact of cheap food imports on local farmers. In response to the blockade, Ukraine is planning an alternative export route via the Danube River to maintain its export levels.
Polish farmers block Ukraine’s border in protest against cheaper grain imports and EU environmental policies https://t.co/fpyAhk4rEY https://t.co/H0BqBlcDX5
Polish farmers block Ukraine's border as protests intensify against non-EU imports Polish farmers blocked border crossings with Ukraine and traffic in Warsaw on Tuesday in protest against the so-called European "Green Deal". Source: euronews https://t.co/AhK0CkC38K
Polish farmers have for months been protesting an influx of Ukrainian products that they say is crowding the Polish market and undercutting their livelihood. On Tuesday, they halted the passage of about 3,000 Ukrainian trucks. https://t.co/7tuX84OIUA
The Kyiv Independent visited the Shehyni-Medyka border crossing at the Polish-Ukrainian border on Feb. 14 where hundreds of trucks are unable to enter Ukraine as protestors block the border. Watch here: https://t.co/zpfZsA7v0d https://t.co/FdlNFvnnig
In 1930s Ukraine, starving villagers would be sent to the Gulag if found with three ears of grain. Millions died in the artificial famine, the Holodomor. Polish farmers spilling Ukrainian grain on the border, to many Ukrainians, is nothing short of a sacrilege. https://t.co/NjUQx2Z6Oe
NEW: Polish farmers spill Ukrainian grain, stoking tensions https://t.co/tKH7FtmxtX
So, Polish protestors blocked buses with Ukrainian civilians at the border. As you can see, on the Ukrainian side, it's mostly women. Protestors shout at them with xenophobical comments. I hear Ukrainian women saying: "WHERE'S THE POLICE?", "Europe! Damn!" https://t.co/d9Yny2t0pZ
It’s official. The ‘Polish farmers protest’ is financed by Russia. https://t.co/5AfYTJ00WI
Polish farmers rapidly and successfully trashing all the respect their country earned following Russia’s full-scale invasion. Brutal stupidly. Video: Suspilne Lviv https://t.co/FCgCflbVSq
The Polish farmers who block the border and spill Ukrainian grain on the ground should feel ashamed and grow up - Ukrainian service members and farmers died for this https://t.co/MQYL5Laye2
A representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine, Andriy Yusov, has criticized the actions of Polish farmers at the border "Any abuse of grain and bread, for the people who survived the Holodomor, is a conscious, public display of xenophobia and justification… https://t.co/ooD4Z32hmJ
Zelenskyy attacks Polish farmers for objecting to having their livelihoods undercut and destroyed by Ukrainian grain imports: "Polish farmers have been particularly vocal about the impact of cheap food imports from Ukraine." https://t.co/Bb75226FrX https://t.co/ASVLPKO64E
For Ukrainians, watching grain being wasted like that is traumatising at more than one level. The generational trauma of Holodomor and 1946 famine. The today’s trauma of knowing that the price paid for growing and harvesting this grain is sometimes someone’s life or health… https://t.co/GeCoo6oHv3
I've shared many stories of Ukrainian farmers' bravery, growing this grain amid shelling. Each grain is a reminder of the Russian-made Holodomor, where millions were starved to death. Urging Polish government to resolve this harrowing situation. https://t.co/iiWWyM2YbS
The protests on the Polish-Ukrainian border increasingly look like a typical Kremlin special operation: they tap into real frustration, feed division and hatred, and lead to weakening of allies and strengthening of Russia’s positions. Poland is so much better than this. https://t.co/X7T73mOI9j
Highways, checkpoints… the #escalation of the protests in #Poland have essentially sealed its border with #Ukraine, with fresh participants rallying for demands that go beyond the original scope. https://t.co/3Uclb5gsTq
Ukraine said it’s planning an additional route via the Danube River to boost exports to pre-war levels as a spat with Poland over agricultural deliveries blocks a land border with the European Union https://t.co/D3XcAD7hK4
⚡️ Infrastructure Ministry: Grain dumped by Polish farmers was transiting to Germany. https://t.co/bs3X8nxZhw
🚜💥 Farmers across Europe have been demonstrating against constraints placed on them by European Union measures to tackle climate change, as well as rising costs and what they say is unfair competition from abroad, particularly Ukraine. https://t.co/v5xhxHNeVP
The Ukrainian agricultural products scattered by the Polish protesters were in transit to Germany. The cars were waiting to be reloaded onto another track. The Polish police, Polish Railways and the @Vasyl_Zvarych @UKRinPL were informed of the unauthorized interference with the… https://t.co/MtMaHw9agj
🇵🇱🇺🇦🚨‼️“End of Ukraine, the ungrateful sons of a b**ches” — Sign on the tractor of the Polish Farmer https://t.co/1AxVxkSwVW
#WATCH 🔴 "This is #Poland, not Brussels. I do not support Ukrainians," shout Poles at the border with Ukraine. On February 20, protests are taking place in over 200 locations across the country. Earlier, protest leaders announced a change in tactics and declared their intention… https://t.co/eXKaG0ui4e
UPDATE Farmers in 18 European countries have now joined the protests. Netherlands 🇳🇱 Germany 🇩🇪 Poland 🇵🇱 Lithuania 🇱🇹 Romania 🇷🇴 France 🇫🇷 Scotland 🏴 Portugal 🇵🇹 Spain 🇪🇸 Italy 🇮🇹 Greece 🇬🇷 Britain 🇬🇧 Bulgaria 🇧🇬 Belgium 🇧🇪 Ireland 🇮🇪 Czech Republic 🇨🇿 Wales 🚜 Norway 🇳🇴…
On #Poland-#Ukraine border, protesting Polish farmers pour Ukrainian grain, harvested amid the war and Russian bombings, out of railroad cars. This is so wrong, on so many levels. We need a new word for wrong to explain it. https://t.co/gXAqQlZvsG
The scattering of Ukrainian grain on the railroad tracks is another political provocation aimed at dividing our nations. For 2 years, Ukrainian farmers have been harvesting grain in bulletproof vests, under rocket attacks and mine danger. And the Ukrainian army has literally… https://t.co/swu4tLW1hM
"This is Poland, not Brussels. I don't support Ukrainians," shout Poles at Ukraine border. Starting today, the Poles are going to completely block the border with Ukraine. They also blocked the railway near a checkpoint and dumped grain from the wagon. https://t.co/dLEV0EQdzm
EU farmers will protest against extension of benefits for Ukraine On Tuesday, the European Commission will consider the issue of extending special benefits in the agricultural sector for Kyiv. Farmers from Eastern Europe, which is suffering the most from these measures, plan to… https://t.co/1EziI28D1A
UKRAINE'S ZELENSKIY DECRIES 'MOCKERY' OF POLISH BORDER PROTESTS (Reuters) Zelenskiy decried as a "mockery" protests by Polish farmers that have disrupted freight traffic in and out of Ukraine and called to restore normal cross-border traffic. https://t.co/wEq210W0Q3
Kyiv Foresees Severe Impacts of Polish Border Blockade with 3,000 Trucks Stuck Between Two Countries Ukraine's government claimed that the transportation #blockade on its border with #Poland “will have severe socio-political effects for both countries.” https://t.co/cL2ym0UaPp
Hundreds of farmers in Czechia have taken to the streets in their tractors to protest against high energy costs and the European Union's Green Deal. https://t.co/pAyc1jusPz
⚠️ UKRAINE'S ZELENSKIY DECRIES 'MOCKERY' OF POLISH BORDER PROTESTS Full Story → https://t.co/0bDN1pTMy7 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday decried as a "mockery" protests by Polish farmers that have disrupted passenger and freight traffic in and out of Ukraine… https://t.co/QbvDUolyJb
🇺🇦 A fight between Czech farmers and pro-Ukraine activists broke out today during a farmers' protest in Prague. https://t.co/kzIOhrvFkE
Czech prime minister labels protesting farmers ‘supporters of Moscow’ Hundreds of tractors have blocked downtown Prague as part of demonstrations against EU agriculture policies https://t.co/VJFOBhZ3sm https://t.co/yQnPkljKDX
Zelensky says Polish border blockade shows ‘erosion of solidarity’
French farmers in Charleville-Mézières continue to revolt against the EU'S FARM-TO-FORK POLICIES -- designed to DESTROY Europe’s agriculture industry. Just more EU GREEN MADNESS. https://t.co/WaFS9xZ3MP
NEW - Zelensky says Polish border blockade shows ‘erosion of solidarity’ https://t.co/qyOp2MSQGk
Zelenskyi's evening speech: -- What is happening on our western border - the border with Poland - cannot be perceived as something normal or ordinary. We need simple and clear justice. Only 5% of our agricultural exports pass through the Polish border. So, in fact, the… https://t.co/FKj400I8oG
⚡️President Volodymyr #Zelensky, in his evening address, criticized the blocking of border checkpoints by Polish farmers, calling for joint and rational solutions to this situation. 📷: President’s Office https://t.co/rkXBmHeHtc
Ukraine has informed the EU Commission about the blockade at the #Poland-Ukraine border & is expecting a decisive response from its partners. “This is not acceptable. We are expecting for public order to be restored at the border“ https://t.co/r9wtgBbyRe
Europe is de-industrialising – and the EU expects farmers to pay the price. @yanisvaroufakis: 👇https://t.co/jd9SiOtQ5K
Farmers in Slovakia are blocking the border with Ukraine in protest against European agricultural policy https://t.co/WBIe94d53W https://t.co/vnsCXZNsh3
Polish farmers intend to completely block the border with Ukraine tomorrow, media reports "Not only border crossings will be blocked, but also communication hubs and access roads to transshipment railway stations and sea ports," the message states. https://t.co/BHpGkbZB6P
#WATCH 🔴 #Czechia : Farmers protesting in #Prague announced their readiness to stay overnight in the city and continue their action on Tuesday to ensure that the authorities hear them — social media videos 🚜🇨🇿 #FarmersProtest #traktory #praha https://t.co/U9r2yeRBLW
Ukrainian ministry holds urgent talks with Poland as Polish protesters block passenger traffic at border https://t.co/HgGEb0XHje
UPDATED – Analysis: How do the EU farmer protests relate to climate change? | @orladwyer_ Read here: https://t.co/SWK9lNFsc8 https://t.co/tMCFhO1G8y
#FarmersProrest : Bureaucracy, the "Green Deal," and retail chains' profits from food prices are concerns for #Czech farmers who have come to #Prague to defend their rights today 🚜 #Praha #traktory https://t.co/nqNog5z4NS
#FarmersProrest : Bureaucracy, the "Green Deal," and retail chains' profits from food prices are concerns for #Czech farmers who have come to #Prague to defend their rights today 🚜 https://t.co/2Exc3hitAO
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala alleged that the farmers demonstrating in Prague were backing Russia. https://t.co/kCzLc8Wdx5
MASSIVE 🚜🚜🚜 The farmers are once again out protesting in Wales against unfair climate policies. SHARE if you stand with the farmers 💪 https://t.co/W6o8pQ6a3B
NEW - Ukraine says Polish border blockade a ‘security threat’ https://t.co/ck1tP1qg3R
Tractors roll into downtown Prague as Czech farmers join protests https://t.co/2pUzx9q6dj https://t.co/QmsuLEUCYu
🗣️Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala's reaction to the farmers' protest in the center of #Prague: "Today's demonstration has nothing to do with the struggle to improve conditions for farmers. The demonstration is organized by people who, for example, do not hide their support for… https://t.co/lZEA5xAhtG
⚡️ Ukraine's infrastructure minister holds talks with Polish official after buses blocked at border. https://t.co/6bVWGaXwKp
⚡️ Ukraine's infrastructure minister holds talks with Polish officials after buses blocked at border. https://t.co/6bVWGaXwKp
Ukraine says a blockade by Polish farmers at the border is hurting the nation’s ability to defend itself against Russia https://t.co/YpEUnVNNSL
#FarmersProtest : #Czech #farmers gathered outside the Ministry of Agriculture building in #Prague. According to Noviny, in addition to calls for resignation, Minister of Agriculture Marek Vyborny heard shouts from the crowd such as "Do you know what a cow looks like?" and "Do… https://t.co/DKQ3PZ9dDe
Europe’s farmers are revolting against the punitive structures of the EU’s agricultural policy. @yanisvaroufakis: 👇https://t.co/jd9SiOtQ5K
#WATCH 🔴 "Restore our freedom in agriculture" - #Czech #farmers gather in #Prague from 5 am to express their dissatisfaction with agricultural policies. The main events are scheduled for 10 am and 3 pm 🇨🇿🚜 #FarmersProtest https://t.co/Ox7feHMfZR
In Prague, a protest by farmers is beginning: hundreds of tractors will block the highway in the city center https://t.co/jYw5lAtLGW https://t.co/UKrR6L7ezr
‘Oligarchic interests grab fertile agricultural land and, with grants and loans from Brussels, cover it with solar panels.’ This is how Greek farmland is mismanaged, writes @yanisvaroufakis: 👇https://t.co/jd9SiOtQ5K
Britain’s farmers are free from the structures of the EU – but in Greece they aren’t so lucky. @yanisvaroufakis: 👇https://t.co/jd9SiOtQ5K
Protest by Spanish farmers are still in full swing. They're protesting against the EU'S DISASTROUS FARM-TO-FORK POLICIES. Over the weekend, Spanish farmers blocked the streets of Santander with their tractors. https://t.co/hEIEoavLoO
Disgruntled farmers are protesting across Europe, citing low wages, rising fuel costs and increased environmental red tape as the main causes of their anger https://t.co/nH8sv5TedX
Polish farmers are ‘pro-Russian’ – Ukrainian mayor https://t.co/Kk6QLJ87HG https://t.co/QeK2a02smJ