Kiev to open additional checkpoints at borders with Poland, Hungary

MOSCOW. March 13 (Interfax) - The Nizhankovichi-Malhowice international motor checkpoint will open to passengers in June, Ukrainian Deputy Restoration Minister Sergei Derkach said at a virtual meeting with carriers on Tuesday.

"New checkpoints are being set up. As for the route to Poland, the Nizhankovichi-Malhowice checkpoint will open to passengers this year, practically in June," Ukrainian media quoted Derkach as saying.

This is not an ideal route but carriers might choose to use it in case of long lines at other checkpoints, he said.

Passenger traffic through the Luzhanka-Beregsurany checkpoint at the Hungarian border will open this year, Derkach said.

"We will definitely begin operation of Luzhanka [the Luzhanka-Beregsurany checkpoint] this year. We are waiting for our Hungarian colleagues to sign the note. For our part, we have done everything and have coordinated every issue with the government," he said.

Head of the Lvov regional military administration Maxim Kozitsky said in February that the Nizhankovichi-Malhowice checkpoint would open in the Lvov region with the next six months.

In turn, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal said that the government had agreed on the expanded operation of another checkpoint at the Hungarian border, Luzhanka-Beregsurany. It has been agreed to allow empty trucks pass through the checkpoint without weight restrictions, in addition to cars and trucks with the maximum weight of 7.5 tonnes.