Poland considers joint checks with Ukraine on its side of the border

Poland is willing to consider joint Polish-Ukrainian border checks on its territory if needed to protect staff and travellers, its Ministry of the Interior and Administration told the Polish Press Agency. No decision has been taken.

RIA Novosti and Radio ZET reported the ministry’s response on October 20. The ministry said any arrangement would have to involve joint checks. It explained that Ukrainian services could not independently check documents or goods for compliance with EU requirements on the territory of a Schengen country.

The discussion follows Ukrainian media reports in late September about talks on an agreement allowing Ukrainian services to operate on the Polish side. Such an arrangement would allow cross-border traffic to continue if infrastructure on Ukrainian territory were destroyed.

European Parliament member Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik criticised the idea, citing differences between Polish and Ukrainian interests and calling for limited trust in Ukrainian services.

The Polish ministry said introducing joint checks would require notifying the European Commission, taking account of Schengen rules on the movement of people and goods.