Representatives of Ukraine, the European Commission, Moldova, and Romania held a meeting focused on intensifying the work of the Solidarity Lanes, developing the capacities of Danube region ports, and ensuring stable transit of Ukrainian produce amidst escalating Russian attacks on port infrastructure. This was reported by the Ministry of Reconstruction, Infrastructure, and Transport, as conveyed by Ukrinform. It was noted that the Ukrainian delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Reconstruction, the Ministry of Economy, the Sea Ports Administration, and Ukrainian Railways. The meeting took place in response to intensified Russian assaults on civilian port infrastructure, merchant vessels, and crews. Recent large-scale shelling has effectively led to the temporary suspension of vessel calls at Ukrainian ports.
The participants of the meeting concentrated on developing practical solutions to increase the throughput capacity of the Danube logistical route, foster the development of ports in Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova, and eliminate infrastructural and administrative bottlenecks along key transport corridors. Key areas of focus include enhancing the capabilities of Danube region ports, improving railway, road, and border infrastructure; reducing customs and border control clearance times, improving coordination among the transport, customs, and border services of the parties, expanding transit possibilities for Ukrainian agricultural and other export products, and attracting European funding for infrastructure modernization within the framework of the Solidarity Lanes and the TEN-T network. **Read also:** EU support needed for uninterrupted operation of “Solidarity Lanes” – Kubrakov “Meanwhile, Ukraine is working daily to strengthen the protection of its port infrastructure and the Ukrainian maritime corridor, to ensure that civilian navigation remains possible even amid continuous Russian attacks,” emphasized Andriy Kashuba, Deputy Minister for Reconstruction, Infrastructure, and Transport. The ports of Greater Odesa handle approximately 90% of Ukraine’s agricultural exports, which are supplied to over 55 countries worldwide. Therefore, the stability of maritime and land logistical routes is crucial not only for Ukraine’s economy but also for global food markets. As reported, since the beginning of 2026, Ukrainian seaports have processed 46 million tons of cargo. Of this amount, 42.2 million tons were handled by the ports of Greater Odesa, and an additional 3.8 million tons by ports in the Danube region. Photo: Ministry of Reconstruction
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