Direct train connection between Kyiv, Bucharest preparing to be launched – Romanian envoy

The relevant statement was made by Ambassador of Romania to Ukraine Alexandru Victor Micula in an exclusive commentary to Ukrinform.

“We did the technical test from the 7th to the 9th of August. And we are waiting to see the technicians, what the technicians are saying, because we are speaking about four wagons that would depart from Kyiv and reach Bucharest through Chisinau,” Micula said.

In his words, this connection will have also a symbolic meaning.

“It’s a long trip, but it’s a direct connection between our capitals that will contribute to the other bridges we are building – cultural, economic and humanitarian bridges,” Micula stressed.

According to him, the new border checkpoint, connecting Romania’s Sighetu Marmatiei and Ukraine’s Bila Tserkva, will also open this year.

“And that will be a major project because of the capacity that that checkpoint will have. And because of the fact that in that area of our common border, we don’t have many checkpoints,” Micula explained.

Currently, Romania and Ukraine are discussing two completely new checkpoints and planning to expand the Porubne-Siret crossing.

“We are going to expand the number of lines for trucks. I think that the Ukrainian side will be ready by the end of this year to move from two to six lanes per direction for trucks. And I think that we are going to be ready in the latest in April next year,” Micula noted.

Among other things, the Romanian ambassador mentioned trilateral projects, which are implemented by Ukraine, Moldova and Romania.

“I think that as a neighboring country, all the investments we have together with Ukraine on the border are contributing to the reconstruction of Ukraine also. And in many projects, we work in a trilateral format with the Republic of Moldova, because most of the infrastructure that Ukraine is building at the border with the Republic of Moldova needs to have a correspondent on the border of the Republic of Moldova with Romania, so that the merchandise and the people that are exiting from Ukraine to Moldova in order to reach the European Union can have the infrastructure needed,” Micula added.

A reminder that Romanian President Nicușor Dan is planning to visit Ukraine this autumn at the invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.