WARSAW, POLAND — Polish farmers, decrying what they say is unfair price competition from Ukrainian grain that threatens their livelihoods, began disrupting traffic nationwide with blockades Feb. 20, a move Ukraine said impacts its efforts against Russia’s invasion, Reuters reported.

Protesters at the Medyka border crossing were seen opening railway carriages to allow grain to pour onto the tracks in a video shared on the Telegram messaging app, an action condemned by Ukraine as a “political provocation.”

Farmers across Europe have been demonstrating over a range of grievances, including rising costs and what they say is unfair competition from abroad. In June 2022, as part of its efforts to help Ukraine fight Russia, the European Union waived import duties on Ukrainian grain. 

Until mid-September last year, the EU had allowed five countries — Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia — to ban domestic sales of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seeds, while allowing them to transit for export elsewhere.

Poland has been among Ukraine’s staunchest supporters since Russia’s full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. Poland’s new pro-European government has expressed sympathy for the farmers’ demands but also has urged them not to take action that could damage Ukraine’s war effort.

A spokesman for the Solidarity farmers’ union, said that while military aid for Ukraine would be allowed through, all passenger traffic on the border would be blocked, not just trucks. Ports and motorways also would be blockaded.

Protesters’ tractors carried banners that read “With grain flowing from Ukraine, Polish farmers will go bankrupt,” according to Reuters.

Ukraine said its agricultural shipments through Eastern Europe have not affected markets. Ukrainian haulers began their own round-the-clock counterdemonstrations at three crossings. Their protest is planned to last until March 15.

Polish Agriculture Minister Czeslaw Siekierski previously said he is negotiating with Ukraine and that a deal limiting imports could be reached by the end of March.