Ukraine, European Commission, Moldova, and Romania work on solutions for stable export and cargo transit
Representatives of Ukraine, the European Commission, Moldova, and Romania held a quadrilateral meeting dedicated to strengthening the implementation of the Solidarity Lanes, developing the capacities of Danube region ports, and ensuring stable transit of Ukrainian products.
The Ukrainian side was represented by First Deputy Minister for Restoration, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine Serhiy Derkach, Deputy Minister Andriy Kashuba, as well as the team of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority and JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia.” The situation with grain exports was presented by Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Taras Vysotskyi.
From the European Commission, Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General of the Directorate for Mobility and Transport (DG Move), took part. Romania was represented by State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport Ionel Ionel Scrioșteanu, and Moldova by State Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Mircea Pascaluța.
The meeting was convened in response to intensified russian attacks on civilian port infrastructure, merchant vessels, and crews. The latest massive shelling has effectively led to a temporary suspension of vessel entry into Ukrainian ports.
Despite daily threats, Ukrainian ports continue to operate. At the same time, russia’s systematic attacks pose direct risks to freedom of navigation, stability of international trade, and global food security.
Meeting participants focused on practical solutions to increase the capacity of the Danube logistics route, develop the ports of Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova, and remove infrastructure and administrative barriers on key transport corridors.
“Together with our partners, we are strengthening alternative export routes. The Danube direction and the Solidarity Lanes must ensure stable movement of Ukrainian cargo even under constant security threats. Our joint task is to increase the capacity of ports and checkpoints, eliminate bottlenecks, and create predictable conditions for transportation,” noted Serhiy Derkach.
Key areas of work include:
• Increasing port capacity in the Danube region
• Developing rail, road, and border infrastructure
• Reducing customs and border clearance time
• Improving coordination between transport, customs, and border services of the parties
• Expanding transit opportunities for Ukrainian agricultural and other export products
• Attracting European financing for infrastructure modernization within the Solidarity Lanes and TEN-T network
“Together with international partners, we are seeking solutions that will preserve the continuity of exports and strengthen the resilience of logistics routes. At the same time, Ukraine works daily to enhance the protection of port infrastructure and the Ukrainian maritime corridor, so that civilian navigation remains possible even under constant russian attacks. Only the combination of international cooperation and our own security measures allows maritime logistics to function,” emphasized Andriy Kashuba.
Since the launch of the Ukrainian maritime corridor in September 2023, the ports of Greater Odesa have handled 209.3 million tonnes of cargo, including 124.1 million tonnes of grain, and ensured the passage of 8,222 vessels.
Since the beginning of 2026, Ukrainian seaports have processed 46 million tonnes of cargo — 42.2 million tonnes through Greater Odesa ports and 3.8 million tonnes through Danube region ports.
The ports of Greater Odesa account for about 90% of Ukraine’s agricultural exports, supplying products to more than 55 countries worldwide. Therefore, the stability of maritime and land logistics routes is crucial not only for Ukraine’s economy but also for global food markets.
As a result of the meeting, the parties agreed to continue coordination and develop joint solutions for the advancement of the Danube logistics cluster, strengthening the Solidarity Lanes, and further integrating Ukraine’s transport system into the European TEN-T network.