The European Union plans to expand the network of European standard railways in Ukraine, connecting it to key cities across the country. This concerns the construction of Eurotrack to Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa to simplify transport connections with the EU. This is reported by Forbes.
Eurotrack in Ukraine: which cities will connect to the EU
The European Commission has stated that they see several strategic routes for infrastructure development. In particular, direct railway connections are planned between Poland and Kyiv, as well as a corridor through Uzhhorod to the southern regions of Ukraine leading to Odesa.
The Director-General for Mobility and Transport of the European Commission, Magda Kopczynska, noted that these projects are aimed at ensuring uninterrupted transportation of passengers and goods between Ukraine and EU countries.
Railway infrastructure: what the EU is betting on
The EU emphasizes that new projects are being developed with security risks in mind. The infrastructure must not only be built but also secured in wartime and after its conclusion.
In addition to railways, the EU plans to develop:
- border infrastructure;
- internal waterways;
- sea ports;
- airports after the airspace opens.
After 2022, Ukraine was integrated into the trans-European transport network TEN-T, including routes to southern ports. The "Solidarity Lanes" played an important role in this, allowing support for exports after the blocking of maritime ports.
The development of Eurotrack is crucial for integrating Ukraine's transport system with the EU, as the difference in track width forces trains to stop at the border for transloading or wagon changes, slowing down logistics.
It's worth noting that the first section of Eurotrack between Chop and Uzhhorod was opened in 2025. This allowed for direct trains to Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava and Košice. Further extension of the track is planned, particularly in the direction of Mostyska II — Lviv.
Additionally, Ukrzaliznytsia launches new children's carriages in partnership with Visa. As part of this project, six children's compartment cars that undergo major renovations will be introduced. The first three carriages are already in service, and all are designed in a thematic concept of "Fairy Ukrainian Forest".