As Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues and further disrupts Ukraine’s transport sector, the European Parliament has backed an 18-month prolongation of the EU‑Ukraine deal on the carriage of freight by road, by 488 votes to 137 and with 34 abstentions.

Concluded in June 2022, the agreement has facilitated the transport of vital goods such as fuel and humanitarian aid into Ukraine, and enabled Ukrainian exports such as grain, ore, and steel to reach the EU and beyond. Set to expire in June 2024, its application continued provisionally pending formal backing by MEPs and the EU Council of its extension until the end of 2025.

In order to address a number of implementation challenges, the updated agreement requires drivers to carry documents authorising international carriage. They also have to display a windscreen sticker proving that their road transport operation falls within the agreement’s scope. A safeguard clause allows the agreement’s suspension in a specific geographical area in the event of a major disturbance to the local road transport market.

Now that Parliament has given its consent, the EU-Ukraine road transport agreement will be forwarded to the EU Council for a final adoption.