Moldova offers Ukrainian business rail transit to Romania

The current 50% discount on the transit of Ukrainian goods has been in effect since August 10 and expires at the end of December.

Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan called on Ukrainian entrepreneurs to use the Moldovan railway to export goods to Romania. He stated this at the Kyiv International Economic Forum, reports “European Pravda”.

According to him, the Moldovan railway can serve as a bridge for Ukraine to the markets of Romania and the Balkans.

“I know that Ukrainian entrepreneurs are focused on Poland. But Romania is an economy with a GDP of over $480 billion, with which we in Moldova are united by a common language, infrastructure and economic ties. Currently, 30% of Moldovan exports go to Romania. These can also be goods from Ukrainian companies,” said Tofan.

The Prime Minister also commented on the 50% discount on the transit of Ukrainian goods via the Moldovan railway.

“This decision was not easy. We also have budget constraints, the interests of our own farmers, problems with the railway. But friendship is tested not by statements, but by decisions. And we are ready to work together on better infrastructure, a fast border, new logistics routes,” he noted.

The preferential regime has been in effect since August 10 and expires at the end of 2026. The agreement was agreed primarily for the transportation of Ukrainian grain through Moldova to the Romanian port of Constanta in order to reduce the risks of Russian attacks on port infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the decision has caused opposition within Moldova. Local farmers’ associations feared that Ukrainian grain would drive down prices on their market. Tofan then rejected these assumptions, emphasizing that the country should not lose millions of euros in transit revenues.

In practice, the route is not yet fully operational. In September, Ukrzaliznytsia redirected grain from the Kuchurhan–Novosavitska crossing to other junctions, as the Moldovan side did not agree to the transfer of wagons.

During a visit to Kyiv, Tofan, together with Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi, signed an agreement on military-technical cooperation. Moldova is also ready to extend joint control to two more border crossing points with Ukraine.

Also, the day before, USM wrote that Ukraine and Romania are working on introducing night shipping on the Sulina.