EU funds first large-scale standard-gauge corridor in Ukraine
Ukrainian Railways has secured EUR 73.5 million in EU funding to build 80 kilometers of standard-gauge track from Lviv to the Polish border – marking the first concrete step toward integrating Ukraine into Europe’s rail network through compatible infrastructure. The line will connect the city’s Sknyliv hub with the border crossing at Mostyska II.
The EU financing deal, signed with EU agency CINEA under the Connecting Europe Facility, will co-finance a EUR 190 million project that addresses one of the most persistent barriers to EU-Ukraine connectivity: the break of gauge where European standard tracks meet Ukraine’s Soviet-width railways. The new 1,435mm line will run from Lviv to Mostyska on the Polish border, with authorities targeting completion of the first stage by end-2027.
Physical integration advances
The project represents more than infrastructure investment – it embodies the EU’s commitment to Ukraine’s transport integration even amid ongoing conflict. By extending TEN-T corridor standards eastward, the standard-gauge connection will eliminate costly and time-consuming transshipment operations that currently slow both passenger and freight movements at the border.
The Lviv–Mostyska axis was chosen for its strategic importance as Ukraine’s western gateway. Once operational, the line will enable direct train services into Poland and beyond, reducing journey times and logistics costs while strengthening Ukraine’s position within European supply chains.
Integration built into infrastructure
With design and procurement phases now advancing, the project signals that Ukraine’s post-war recovery planning has already begun in the transport sector. The corridor creates a template for future standard-gauge extensions deeper into the country.
Toward integration: The project will test how EU technical standards can operate within Ukraine’s 1,520 mm network — a crucial step toward full interoperability.
Security & implementation: Public documentation on how construction will proceed under wartime conditions remains limited. EU and Ukrainian releases outline funding, scope and timelines, but offer no detail on site protection or contingency planning. For now, the Lviv–Mostyska link stands as both an engineering plan and a political signal — its realisation will depend on conditions that remain unpredictable.
What’s next: The project could serve as a pilot for future standard-gauge routes east of Lviv, shaping how Ukraine’s rail network aligns with EU membership ambitions.