EU backs Eastern European rail connections with EUR 454 million
The European Commission has signed grant agreements worth EUR 454 million to strengthen rail connections between Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine, and Moldova.
The funding, delivered through the Connecting Europe Facility and the Solidarity Lanes initiative, marks a tangible step toward integrating Ukraine and Moldova into Europe’s TEN-T core network.
The formal handover of grants took place at meetings in Ukraine and Moldova, with participation from European Commission officials and national railway representatives.
The agreements cover cross-border infrastructure, electrification works, terminal upgrades, and border modernization projects across the five countries.
Expanding Europe’s rail system eastward
The funding package supports 11 projects reflecting the EU’s strategy to physically connect Ukraine and Moldova with the continental network.
Projects include electrification of the Iași-Ungheni line connecting Romania and Moldova, improvements to border crossings, and capacity upgrades on corridors used for both passenger and freight traffic.
Recipients include PKP PLK in Poland, ŽSR in Slovakia, CFR in Romania, Ukrainian Railways, and Moldovan Railways.
The first of the 11 projects will begin in 2026. The rest will follow once each country’s technical and administrative requirements are met.
What this means: The agreements form part of the broader TEN-T extension eastward, designed to align Ukrainian and Moldovan infrastructure with EU technical and operational standards.