Ukrzaliznytsia has ambitious plans to extend the European gauge railway to Lviv by 2027, allowing residents and visitors to travel to Vienna, Krakow, and Warsaw. This was announced by the company's chairman, Oleksandr Pertzovsky, at an event focused on Ukraine's integration into the EU.
"Our goal is to connect Lviv with the European gauge by the end of 2027," said Pertzovsky.
He mentioned that Kovel in the northwest could serve as a key hub connecting Volyn and Rivne regions with Poland. The next step for Ukrzaliznytsia will be to link these hubs with European gauge railways.
Pertzovsky also emphasized that the company aims to negotiate with the EU for simplified border control on railways, similar to that in road transport, to reduce waiting times for passengers.

It is worth noting that by 2025, passenger connections on the European gauge from Mukachevo to Hungary and Slovakia, as well as from Rava-Ruska to Poland, are being implemented. In September this year, the European gauge was also extended from Chop to Uzhhorod by 22 km. Next year, the government plans to continue projects for the development of the European gauge, including completing the electrification of the Chop-Uzhhorod section to allow European locomotives to travel electrically to Uzhhorod. Plans are in place to start the construction of the European gauge in Lviv.