Since Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine and the blockade of Ukraine’s usual transport routes, Ukraine has been unable to export its produce to destinations around the world and import what it needs. With thousands of tonnes of grain stuck in Ukraine, the situation threatened global food security; alternative routes were needed urgently.

Against this background, the EU established 'Solidarity Lanes' to ensure Ukraine can export grain and other products and import the goods it needs, from humanitarian aid to animal feed and fertilisers, via alternative transport routes: inland waterways, rail and road.