The European Investment Bank (EIB) is coming in with a 50 million euro support package for Ukrainian Railways. The money will go to border crossings to boost and streamline trade with the EU.
Border crossings with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania will get upgrades financed by these 50 million euros. “Backed by an EU guarantee under the Ukraine Facility, the investment will improve freight operations and strengthen Ukraine’s trade and transport links with the European Union”, the EIB writes.
For freight operations, the financial aid includes repairs to old tracks, a relocation of wagon inspections, the reconstruction of an intermodal terminal and new equipment such as cranes. In 2022, the EIB transferred 100 million euros to Ukraine as part of the same support package, totalling 150 million euros.
Long-standing partner
“The EIB has been a long-standing partner of Ukrainian Railways – from well before the very first days of the war. With this new support, we are continuing to strengthen Ukraine’s railway infrastructure at a critical time”, EIB vice-president Teresa Czerwińska, who oversees EIB’s operations in Ukraine, said. “Upgrading border crossing points and key rail links will help remove bottlenecks, accelerate the flow of goods and support Ukraine’s deeper integration with the European Union.”