VIDEO // Moldova ready to facilitate transit of Ukrainian grain

The Republic of Moldova is ready to provide rapid logistical solutions for the transit of Ukrainian goods if Ukraine’s transport infrastructure is affected by attacks. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Vladimir Bolea made the statement after today’s Government meeting.

The official noted that Chisinau authorities are in talks with the Ukrainian side regarding the possibility of redirecting, for short periods, certain flows of goods through the Republic of Moldova.

According to Bolea, the situation is primarily a logistical one and requires quick responses, given that Ukrainian infrastructure is periodically affected by attacks.

“We are showing solidarity and we react quickly and promptly when they need, for one, two or three days, to get the goods that were dispatched both by sea and by land to the ports of Ukraine to their destination,” the minister said.

Bolea rejected the idea that the discussions should be viewed through the lens of fixed annual volumes of goods, emphasizing that these are temporary solutions, depending on needs.

He gave as an example a situation in which a piece of Ukrainian infrastructure is bombed and shipments need to be rerouted through the Republic of Moldova to reach their destination.

In this context, the minister also presented the financial performance of the Moldovan Railways (CFM). According to the data presented by Bolea, the company closed 2024 with losses of over 300 million lei and 2025 with a deficit of approximately 80 million lei. In the first six months of 2026, however, CFM reportedly recorded a profit of approximately 17 million lei.

“This is information of national interest. This means policies developed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and implemented by the leadership and management of the Railways,” Bolea said.

The minister also mentioned that CFM employees’ salaries were paid up to May 1.

Asked about the possibility of reducing by 50% the tariffs for the transit of Ukrainian goods, Vladimir Bolea explained that there is currently no tariff applied for such transport, as no goods have so far been transited under such a formula.

At the same time, he underlined that the Republic of Moldova is willing to examine specific, case-by-case solutions, including regarding tariffs, if the situation so requires.

“We are not talking about reducing a tariff. (...) If, for example, a bridge was bombed and there is a need to cross (...) through Basarabeasca to reach the port of Izmail, yes, we will accept these things. We are in talks with them, because we are talking about extremely short periods, with extremely prompt responses to a war that is taking place right next to us,” the minister said.

Vladimir Bolea also recalled the European support granted to the Republic of Moldova for the development of railway infrastructure. Moldovan Railways benefited from a 32 million euro grant from the European Union through the “Solidarity Lanes” initiative, funds intended, among other things, for the rehabilitation of the northern rail corridor.

The minister presented the support offered to Ukraine and cooperation in the field of transport as part of regional solidarity in the context of the war.

Thus, depending on the evolution of the security situation and the state of Ukrainian infrastructure, the Republic of Moldova could become an alternative route for the temporary transit of goods, and CFM could benefit from additional revenue from rail transport.

Bolea, however, stressed that at this stage no specific tariff has been set and not a single ton of goods has been transited under such a formula.