Solidarity Lanes bringing the EU, Ukraine and Moldova closer together

In response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Commission, in collaboration with Ukraine and Moldova, has created the Solidarity Lanes to improve the EU-Ukraine-Moldova transport routes. Since establishing the Solidarity Lanes in May 2022, initially set up for Ukraine’s grain export to bypass Russia’s Black Sea blockade, the mechanism has expanded to trade across all sectors. The Solidarity Lanes significantly enhances economic and logistic ties between the EU, Ukraine and Moldova, enabling the export of Ukrainian and Moldovan products to world markets, as well as ensuring critical supplies reach Ukraine. In the long term, the corridors will play a pivotal role in Ukraine’s reconstruction and further integration into the EU single market.

Since its inception, Solidarity Lanes has facilitated the export of more than 136 million tonnes of Ukrainian grains, ores and steel, and imported more than 52 million tonnes of essential merchandise such as fuel, vehicles, fertilisers, military and humanitarian assistance into Ukraine. The Solidarity Lanes span across the Danube region, Poland, the Baltics, and the Adriatic region through rail, road, and inland waterways, which serve as a key for all imports flowing into Ukraine and complement the Ukraine Black Sea corridor set up in autumn 2023.

Over the last two years, so far €2 billion has been mobilised by the European Commission and international financial institutions. The Commission is also committed to coordinating authorities and transport communities in the EU, Ukraine and Moldova to improve efficiency by removing administrative and infrastructure bottlenecks such as traffic management, border procedures and infrastructure investments. For example, the EU has funded a project implemented by Romania and assisted by France to improve navigation on the Danube and the Sulina canal towards the Black Sea, training river pilots and improving information sharing with Ukrainian ports. This project will increase navigation safety and expand the capacity of the Danube. Another project example involves funding critical border needs and integrating Ukraine’s and Moldova’s transport systems into the EU’s TEN-T network, funded by the Connecting Europe Facility. Significant progress was reported in helping both countries transition to the European standard gauge to create an interoperable EU railway system.