Ukraine not in talks on closing border with Poland - Deputy PM

MOSCOW. Feb 29 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian government is not holding negotiations on closing the border with Poland, Ukrainian media reported, citing a press release from the Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development Ministry that quoted Deputy Prime Minister and ministry head Alexander Kubrakov.

"No one from the Ukrainian side is holding negotiations on closing the border with Poland. A stably operating border is a matter of survival for us," Kubrakov was quoted as saying in the press release in response to reports that Ukraine and Poland are allegedly holding talks on closing the border.

"We greatly respect friendly Poland and have proposed constructive solutions, as well as made overtures to eliminate tensions on the border. We expect corresponding decisions from the Polish government so that the situation does not reach an impasse," Kubrakov said.

He said a decision to close the border would not benefit anyone.

Poland's Radio RMF, citing Prime Minister Donald Tusk, reported earlier that Poland is holding negotiations with Ukraine on temporarily barring the movement of goods across the border. This is expected to be a subject of discussion at a meeting between Tusk and representatives of protesting farmers scheduled for Thursday.

Polish farmers launched a national strike on February 9, demanding changes to the European Commission's Green Corridor for Ukraine goods, restrictions on the flow of Ukrainian agricultural products into the Polish market, as well as higher profit margins. As part of the protests, farmers are blocking checkpoints at the Ukrainian-Polish border.