The blockade of Ukrainian ports after the start of a full-scale war practically stopped exports. The situation was quite threatening for the Ukrainian economy. Millions of tons of grain remained in ports awaiting shipment to Africa and the Middle East. This also shook the world markets. Ukrainians had to look for new ways to export. European partners helped in this by opening the so-called “corridors of solidarity”.
Ukrainian exports began to be redirected by rail through Poland. Also, part of grain and other goods went to the ports of Romania. Thanks to this reorganization, about 50 billion euros have flowed into the Ukrainian economy over the course of two years.
“Thanks to the ‘solidarity corridors’, more than 136 million tons of Ukrainian goods were exported, including grain, minerals and steel. They also allowed the import of more than 52 million tons of essential goods, such as fuel, vehicles, agricultural fertilizers, military and humanitarian aid. Although Ukrainian The Black Sea Corridor, created in the fall of 2023, is important, the Danube and the Polish-Baltic Corridor also remain key for imports, while the Adriatic plays an important role in exports,” he notes. Adina Velyan, European Commissioner for Transport.
The European Commission and international financial organizations allocated more than 2 billion euros to improve export-import processes through “solidarity corridors”. In addition to Ukraine, these routes are used by Moldova, which previously carried out part of its exports through the port of Odessa.
“Corridors strengthen Ukraine’s economic ties with the EU. As part of the project, the European Union invested in transport infrastructure in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine and Moldova, securing the last two countries in the EU’s single market and transport zone. “Corridors of solidarity” are also will remain a safe option for Ukraine and Moldova’s trade with the rest of the world,” Ms. Velyan emphasizes.
