EU and Ukraine extend road transport agreement until 31 March 2027

The EU and Ukraine decided today to extend the validity of their current road transport agreement until 31 March 2027.   

Originally signed on 29 June 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Agreement facilitates Ukraine's access to global markets by enabling smoother transit through EU countries and strengthening trade links with the EU market. It has significantly boosted road trade between Ukraine and the EU, benefiting both economies.  

By partly liberalising road freight transport through giving transit and bilateral transport rights to Ukrainian and EU hauliers for their respective territories, the agreement helps better anchoring the Ukrainian market into the EU. The agreement also continues to play a role in the context of the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes, facilitating the transport of vital goods like fuel and humanitarian aid, while enabling Ukrainian exports such as grain, ores, and steel to reach the EU and world markets.  

Finally, the agreement still contributes to a significant reduction of the burden for the transport industry and authorities both in Ukraine and EU Member States, as it removed the need to issue permits for operations under the agreement.  

As Ukraine advances on its European path and following requests by some Member States, it will also need to progressively align its road transport legislation with the EU road transport law. This will contribute to ensuring a level-playing field in the road transport sector.   

Background  

Eurostat data show that EU-Ukraine road trade has grown strongly since the Agreement entered into force. In 2024, EU road imports from Ukraine reached 7.7 million tonnes (+13% vs. 2021), worth EUR 10.1 billion (+12%). Road exports rose to 7.6 million tonnes (+11%), with value jumping by 48% to EUR 33.4 billion.

These trends are mirrored nationally, especially in neighbouring states. Poland's road exports to Ukraine were 85% higher in 2024 than in 2021, Romania's 124% higher, and Slovakia's 106% higher. Imports also grew, though more moderately, leaving all three countries with significant positive trade balances (EUR 8.2 bn for Poland, EUR 677 m for Romania, EUR 803 m for Slovakia).