Slovak carriers will block the main border crossing point with Ukraine from Friday, the Union of Road Carriers of Slovakia (UNAS) announced, thus joining Poland’s protests over restrictions on Ukrainian drivers, Reuters reports.

Since November 6, Polish truckers have blocked several checkpoints with Ukraine, demanding stricter conditions for Ukrainian trucks.

Polish and Slovak carriers complain that Ukrainians offer lower prices for transportation and operate within the European Union, not only between Ukraine and the EU.

Slovak drivers staged a symbolic protest earlier this month, but will begin blocking the Vyshnye Nimetske – Uyhorod checkpoint on the border with Ukraine from 15:00 on December 1. (14:00 GMT).

“The purpose of the protest is to join the carriers in Poland,” UNAS said in a statement on its Facebook page on Wednesday. “We cannot leave them alone to fight.”

They say their business has been undermined since the European Union revoked permits last year following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Vyšne Nimečke is the only border point between Slovakia and Ukraine open for heavy trucks. UNAS said its blockade would not limit humanitarian aid, military support or supplies of fuel and refrigerated food.

Polish truckers began protests this month, demanding the EU restore a permit system for Ukrainians entering the bloc and for EU carriers entering Ukraine, except for humanitarian aid and military supplies.

Ukraine says the protest, which has blocked more than 1,000 trucks in lines stretching for several days, is hurting its fragile wartime economy, hampering exports and disrupting the country’s supply of essential products such as liquefied natural gas.

Poland introduces “enhanced control”

Poland announced on Wednesday “increased controls” on Ukrainian trucks returning to Ukraine in an attempt to quell discontent among Polish truck drivers protesting “unfair competition” from their compatriots, AFP reported.

“There will be comprehensive checks aimed at checking compliance with all norms that apply to Ukrainian carriers,” said Poland’s Minister of Infrastructure, Alvin Gajadgur, after a meeting with Polish truck drivers.

According to him, the latter say that they plan to curtail their protest movement if this control “gives results.”

Adina Valean considers the situation “absolutely unacceptable”

European Transport Commissioner Adina Valean on Wednesday condemned the “lack of involvement” of the Polish authorities in finding a solution to the blockade on the border with Ukraine caused by Polish carriers, describing the situation as “absolutely unacceptable”, AFP and Agerpres report.

“If I support the right of people to demonstrate, then the entire EU, not to mention Ukraine, a country that is currently at war, cannot be held hostage by the blocking of our external borders,” Velyan said.

The representative of the EU executive added that Poland risks falling under the infringement procedure.