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Ukraine talks to move grain lorry customs checks into EU

Published

Ukraine is in talks with Poland and Slovakia to hold customs checks on grain lorries inside those countries, not at the border. The aim is to stop Russian drone attacks on the trucks, according to people familiar with the talks.

Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said Kyiv wants to finalise an agreement with Poland as soon as possible. He said Russia is deliberately trying to strike Ukraine's borders, which he called a new security environment.

The ministry said Ukraine has already set up joint border control points with Moldova. It wants to expand the idea to other neighbours, including Poland.

Data from the ministry shows Ukrainian agricultural exports reached 2.4 million metric tons in September. That was 46% of the country's monthly export potential.

Key facts

Who
Ukraine (country in talks with neighbouring EU member states about moving customs checks); Heorhii Tykhyi (Spokesperson, Ukraine's foreign ministry); Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ukrainian government ministry that confirmed joint border control stations…); Ukraine's foreign ministry (ministry that said Kyiv set up joint border control points with Moldova and…)
What
According to an FT exclusive, Ukraine is negotiating with neighbouring EU states to relocate customs checks on lorries carrying grain exports from the border to points inside those countries, aiming to stop Russian drone attacks on the trucks. The article text provided is only the headline and description, with no body beyond them.
When
23 October 2026
Where
Ukraine, EU, Poland
Status
Reported

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