Transit trucks from Russia can enter Ukrainian territory without restrictions from February 25 / Photo from UNIAN
Movement of transit trucks between Ukraine and Russia resumed on midnight on Thursday, February 25, 2016, according to the Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry's press service.
"The transit has resumed," the press service told UNIAN.
UNIAN reported earlier that Ukrainian public activists on February 11 started blocking the movement of Russian trucks leaving Ukraine and heading towards international borders. The rally spread to 10 Ukrainian regions. In response, the Russian government banned Ukrainian truck traffic in Russia on February 14, after which the Ukrainian government temporarily as of February 15 invalidated transit permits issued to trucks with Russian number plates.
Later, the sides started negotiations and on February 16 they agreed to unblock truck traffic both in Russia and Ukraine for the period from February 16 to February 25.
Then at its February 24 meeting, Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers supported the proposal of the Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry and green-lighted transit traffic of Russian trucks via Ukrainian territory as of February 25. The Interior Ministry and the National Guard were instructed to ensure safety of transit trucks.
At the same time, late on February 24, activists from the Karpatska Sich organization warned they could renew the blockage of Russian trucks driving across Ukraine and called on the Ukrainian government to review its recent decision. The activists announce they are open to dialogue.
What is more, they urged Ukrainian transport firms to avoid entering Russian territory.