This aerial view taken on Nov 10, 2023, shows trucks near the Polish-Ukrainian border crossing in Dorohusk, Poland as Ukrainian drivers protest and ask Polish police officers to let them pass to Ukraine. (PHOTO / AFP)

KYIV/WARSAW - Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Thursday he had an online meeting with European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis to discuss the blockade of the Ukrainian border with some European Union (EU) countries.

Ukraine has outlined its proposals on the issue to the EU and is counting on the European Commission's help in resolving the problem, Shmyhal wrote on Facebook.

Ukraine is also rapidly developing alternative logistics routes for its exports and imports, Shmyhal said.

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Since Nov 6, Polish carriers have been staging protests at several checkpoints on the Ukrainian border, demanding the return of the permit regime for Ukrainian haulers crossing into the EU.

This aerial view taken on Nov 10, 2023 near the city of Chelm shows trucks of Polish transport companies as they block access on the way to the Polish-Ukrainian border crossing in Dorohusk, Poland. (PHOTO / AFP)

The protesters blocked roads near the crossing points, which resulted in large queues, with thousands of trucks being stalled at the border.

Earlier in the day, Ukraine sent an official note to the Polish Foreign Ministry demanding the urgent unblocking of the border after two Ukrainian truck drivers died in the queues.

Separately, Poland has announced an 11-day extension of temporary border controls with Slovakia, as outlined in a new regulation by the Polish Interior Ministry that took effect on Thursday

On Nov 21, Slovakian activists seeking the return of permits for Ukrainian drivers joined the protest, blocking a major border crossing between Slovakia and Ukraine.

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The EU canceled permits for Ukrainian haulers last year. 

Separately, Poland has announced an 11-day extension of temporary border controls with Slovakia, as outlined in a new regulation by the Polish Interior Ministry that took effect on Thursday.

The controls include checks of "mini-vans, vans, passenger vehicles, and coaches ... suspected of carrying illegal migrants," according to then Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

Originally implemented on Oct 4 under the Schengen Borders Code, these controls aimed to curb the influx of migrants entering Poland from Slovakia.

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Initially implemented for 10 days, the checks were subsequently extended for an additional 20 days until Nov 2, and later extended until Nov 22.

According to the updated regulation, the border with Slovakia remains accessible at various road crossings, three rail crossings, and two pedestrian crossings. Certain crossings that were formerly reserved for pedestrians are now open to passenger vehicles.