Tusk does not plan to close the border with Ukraine, farmers will continue protests – results of negotiations

During his talks with farmers, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he had no plans to close the border with Ukraine. At the same time, he offers farmers support from the state budget. This was stated by farmers’ representative Andrzej Sobotinski after a meeting with Tusk on March 9.

The meeting between the Polish Prime Minister and the leaders of farmers’ organizations, who started a strike and blockade of the Polish-Ukrainian border exactly a month ago, lasted more than three hours. There was no “breakthrough” in the positions of the parties.

“The prime minister said he would try to convince the European Commission about the Green Deal. As for the border, he said that he would not close the border,” Sobotinsky said.

According to him, Tusk also said that he would help buy up farmers’ surplus grain at the expense of public funds and instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to calculate what the amounts should be.

“This is some kind of solution to the problem of excess grain on the Polish market. This would allow farmers to sell what remains and have empty warehouses. But if grain continues to come in from Russia and other non-EU countries, we will have the same problem in a year,” Sobotinsky said.

He added that there is no final agreement with the government, but the farmers have taken note of Tusk’s words and are waiting for concrete decisions. According to him, there is no talk of ending the protest and blockade of the border.

Tags: Poland, protests