Ukraine's First Deputy Minister of Development of Communities and Territories Aliona Shkrum has presented the newly constructed European-gauge rail line between Uzhhorod and Chop to European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Marta Kos.
Shkrum and Kos met in Zakarpattia, where a delegation traveled along the newly opened section, the CFTS portal reports.
A 22-kilometer segment of the European standard-gauge track (1435 mm) was officially inaugurated in September, making Uzhhorod the first regional capital in Ukraine with a direct rail link to the European Union.
Passenger trains now operate to Bratislava, Budapest, and Vienna.
"At first glance, it is only 22 kilometers, which is a short distance. But in reality, it is a huge milestone in Ukraine’s history. We have opened a route through which not only trains will travel, but also for our integration with Europe,” said Shkrum.
Construction was completed in less than a year. The project cost a total of UAH 1.3 billion, 50% of which was financed by a grant from the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program and 50% by a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB).
The next phase involves electrification of the 22-kilometer Chop–Uzhhorod rail line and is scheduled for completion by July 2026.
Plans for the near future also include the construction of a new European standard-gauge railway line between Lviv (Sknyliv) and Mostyska-2, for which the European Union is allocating EUR 76 million in grants.
"These projects are of strategic importance for both Ukraine and the EU. They open up new logistics opportunities, enhance transport safety, and integrate our transport system into the European network," Shkrum said.
The 1,435 mm European standard-gauge project is part of Ukraine's broader transport integration with the European Union. This integration will strengthen the country's economic resilience.
