Ukrainian government announced the construction of a Eurorail track in Ukraine

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal announced the construction of a Eurorail in Ukraine to connect the Ukrainian railway with the EU.

The plan involves the phased railway construction: it will start with building major railway junctions in large cities, then the Eurorail will be constructed across the country.

Ukraine plans to accede to the Convention on the Common Transit Procedure shortly, "This document is the basis for goods transfer between EU member states. We are already using the appropriate computerized NCTS system and are technically ready to accede to the Convention. It will significantly speed up the customs clearance and the flow of goods. This is the best quality of customs and new opportunities for Ukrainian business," said Denys Shmyhal.

Ukraine is also preparing to sign an agreement with the EU on the liberalization of road freight transport. The European Commission has already recommended that member states take this decision.

The government has also stepped up the opening of new railway checkpoints. Shortly, two checkpoints will be opened on the western border. In the next six months, the Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure, State Border Guard Service, and customs should set up checkpoints where highways are already built or can be constructed quickly.

What changing the railways?

Due to different railway tracks, direct rail connections between Ukraine and EU countries are difficult now. Ukraine and Lithuania still use Russian tracks, which have a gauge of 1.520mm; Poland uses European ones, which have an inner gauge of the rails at 1.435mm, so before transporting goods by rail, it is necessary to change bogies or axles at the border.

This issue became critical during the full-scale Russian war against Ukraine, as Russian troops blocked Ukrainian seaports closing seaways for the goods exports from Ukraine. The blockade of Ukrainian ports has already exacerbated the problem of world hunger, as Ukraine is one of the key exporters of grain.

The President's Office is urging Western partners to provide Ukraine with US multiple rocket launchers so that the Armed Forces can unblock the Black Sea and prevent a global food crisis.