Ukraine seeks to expand ‘Solidarity Lanes’ via Germany and other EU states – Vysotskyi

Ukraine is seeking to expand its "Solidarity Lanes" through Germany and other European Union countries, according to Ukrinform, which cited the Agrarian Policy Ministry. The meeting took place during the EU Council on Agriculture and Fisheries (AGRIFISH), focusing on Ukraine's farm exports and the need for additional alternative routes due to limited port operations.

German officials expressed support for developing new logistics corridors to secure the export of Ukrainian agricultural products. Minister of Agrarian Policy, Vysotskyi, emphasized the importance of expanding these lanes, particularly by utilizing longer routes through Germany and other EU nations. He stressed that preserving Ukrainian farmers' ability to export their produce is crucial, and Ukraine is working with European partners to achieve this goal.

Vysotskyi expressed gratitude to Germany for understanding the situation and supporting the efforts.

The meeting also covered bilateral agricultural cooperation, including Ukraine's participation in the Grün Woche exhibition in Berlin and a proposal for a joint panel discussion at the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture in 2027. Vysotskyi thanked Germany for implementing international technical assistance projects APD and DUALOG, which aim to develop agricultural policy and support the farm sector in Ukraine.

One practical result of the DUALOG project is the construction of a modern cold storage facility in Vinnytsia region, with a capacity of 1,275 tonnes for fruit and vegetables. Ukraine suggested scaling up this initiative by building two to five similar facilities in various regions. The agricultural sector in Ukraine is facing its most critical situation since the start of the full-scale invasion due to the prolonged blockade of deep-water ports in the Odesa region. Kyiv has requested EU assistance in securing alternative export routes.