In the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU, together with Ukraine and Moldova launched the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes in May 2022, establishing new transport routes to keep Ukraine’s imports and exports flowing via rail, road and inland waterways. Today, the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes have become a lifeline for Ukraine’s economy.

Ukrainian exports

Since May 2022, the Solidarity Lanes have allowed Ukraine to export nearly 141 million tonnes (Mt) of goods, according to data from the Ukrainian customs registers. Within this amount, it can be estimated that the Solidarity Lanes enabled exports of around 78 million tonnes of Ukrainian agricultural products (including ca. 72 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain, oilseeds and related products) and around 63 million tonnes of non-agricultural goods including ores, steel and related products.

In total, around 138 Mt of Ukrainian grain, oilseeds and related products were exported through the Solidarity Lanes (54%) and the Ukrainian Black Sea ports (46%) between May 2022 and May 2024[1].

Imports to Ukraine

The Solidarity Lanes also play a crucial role for Ukrainian imports. Since May 2022, they have allowed Ukraine to import nearly 55 Mt of goods, such as fuel, vehicles, fertilisers as well as military and humanitarian assistance.

Value of trade

The total value of trade via the Solidarity Lanes since May 2022 is estimated at around EUR 163 billion, with around EUR 51 billion for Ukrainian exports. The total value of imports to Ukraine is estimated at ca. EUR 112 billion.

Background

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the blockade of Ukrainian seaports, Ukraine has been unable to export its produce and import what it needs via its usual transport routes.

Against this background, the EU established 'Solidarity Lanes' to ensure Ukraine can export grain, iron ore, steel and other products and to import the goods it needs, from fuel to military and humanitarian assistance, via alternative transport routes: inland waterways, rail and road. The Solidarity Lanes cover trade across all sectors and are an unprecedented cooperation of authorities and businesses in EU Member States, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.

The Solidarity Lanes’ work is carried out in close cooperation between the European Commission, concerned authorities and the transport community. The focus is on addressing bottlenecks to enhance the capacity and smooth functioning of the Solidarity Lanes to sustain Ukrainian exports and imports across sectors. This includes measures to improve traffic management and streamlining of border procedures and checks, as well as investments in infrastructure or logistics equipment.

The Solidarity Lanes are also laying the ground for the longer-term connectivity between Ukraine and the EU and will play a key role for Ukraine’s reconstruction and integration in the EU single market.

[1] Between May and July 2022, the Solidarity Lanes were the only option for Ukraine to export its agricultural produce. In August 2022, the UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) helped relaunch grain shipments from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports. In mid-July 2023, Russia terminated its participation in the BSGI, which was consequently discontinued.

In August 2023, Ukraine launched a new Black Sea corridor for trade vessels heading to and from Ukrainian sea ports despite Russia’s withdrawal from the BSGI. The role of this corridor has increased over time, with 5.1 Mt of grain, oilseeds and other related products exported this way in May 2024.