The EU is considering extending the standard-gauge railway to Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa: a continuous route from Poland

The European Union is considering extending the European-standard railway network in Ukraine: the standard-gauge line is planned to be extended to Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa to strengthen connections with EU countries.

These intentions were reported by the European Commission’s Director-General for Mobility and Transport, Magda Kopchynska, as noted by the publication Forbes.

Brussels is considering several new rail routes. Among them is a continuous rail connection to Kyiv through Poland, as well as a route via Uzhhorod, which is intended to connect Central Europe with southern Ukraine and Odesa.

The European Commission emphasizes that new infrastructure solutions are being designed with security requirements in mind: the transport system must remain modern while also being resilient to threats.

After the start of the full-scale aggression in 2022, the EU expanded the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), adding Ukrainian routes, including lines to Odesa. At the same time, “Solidarity Lanes” were deployed to support exports, providing alternative logistics amid the blockade of seaports.

The EU’s plans are not limited to rail: they also foresee the development of border infrastructure, inland waterways, seaports, and Ukrainian airports once air connections are restored.

Earlier we wrote:

• Alarm on the road: Ukrzaliznytsia changes the rules — what passengers should do now
• “Ukrzaliznytsia” sues “Mykolaivelektrotrans” over 72 tonnes of rails for anti-tank hedgehogs
• Passenger services between Mykolaiv and Kherson were temporarily organized by buses
• Railways under fire: Russians struck a train in Mykolaiv
• Internet in a carriage for 120 UAH: a new take on the romance of the rails