Russian attacks on Ukraine’s transport and export infrastructure are also threatening trade routes that cross the border with the Republic of Moldova. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned on Tuesday, October 20, in the European Parliament that the destruction of logistics infrastructure is costing the Ukrainian economy an estimated €60 million a day, while alternative export corridors are becoming increasingly vulnerable, BANI.MD reports.
According to the European official, Russia is no longer targeting only Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, but also infrastructure that enables the transportation of goods by land, including through border crossing points with the Republic of Moldova, Romania, and Poland.
These routes have become essential for Ukrainian exports since the start of Russia’s invasion, as attacks on port infrastructure have forced Kyiv to seek alternatives for transporting grain and other products to international markets.
Kallas warned that the economic losses caused by attacks on export infrastructure amount to approximately €60 million per day. The estimate illustrates the scale of the pressure on Ukraine’s economy, for which export revenues represent an important source of foreign currency.
At the same time, the EU’s foreign policy chief noted that grain exports through the European Union’s Solidarity Lanes have increased by nearly two million tonnes since July. However, the intensification of attacks threatens the operation of these routes and could cause further delays and additional costs for transport operators.
The situation has direct implications for the Republic of Moldova, which lies at the intersection of logistics corridors connecting Ukraine, Romania, and the European Union. Moldova’s rail and road infrastructure can be used to transport Ukrainian grain to Romanian ports, including Constanța, as well as to other European markets.
In recent months, the authorities in Chișinău and Kyiv have discussed the possibility of expanding grain shipments by rail through the Republic of Moldova. The negotiations have also covered transit tariffs and the volumes of goods that could be transported through the Moldovan Railway network.
The European warning comes at a time when the global grain market is facing renewed pressure. Kallas said international prices had reached their highest level since February 2023 amid export difficulties and risks to food security.