Ukraine allocates €14M+ to boost transport links with Moldova
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine decided to allocate 718 million hryvnias, which is over 14.2 million euros, to enhance transport connections with the southwestern part of the Odessa region and, by extension, with the Republic of Moldova. Experts in Chisinau noted that these funds will be used to improve two bridges that are crucial for transit between Ukraine and Moldova: the bridge at Maiaki and the bridge at Cosăuți - Iampol.
According to the Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, the decision made by the authorities in Kyiv aims to maintain stable logistics at both regional and international levels, facilitating the transport of goods and passengers between Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, and Romania.
The allocated funds will be used primarily for two projects: repairing the bridge in Maiaki, which was severely damaged by bombings in 2025, and establishing a temporary bridge at the Iampol-Cosăuți crossing point. These efforts will create additional logistics routes and reduce the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.
“We are systematically consolidating alternative routes both within the region and on international paths to the Republic of Moldova and Romania. This enhances freight transport, improves people’s mobility, and supports the stable functioning of the economy. Backup routes are essential,” stated Alexei Kuleba, the Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction and Minister of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine.
Transport expert Oleg Tofilat emphasized that the repair and construction of these bridges will improve connectivity for both citizens and businesses in Ukraine.
“The funding is allocated from the Government Reserve Fund in Kiev. Specifically, 335 million hryvnias are designated for infrastructure repairs in the Odessa region, particularly the Maiaki bridge, while 384 million are for the crossing of the Nistru at the Yampol-Cosăuți point. Although the amount allocated for a temporary pontoon crossing may seem modest, it is sufficient for the necessary works,” Tofilat commented for Teleradio-Moldova.
Repairing the Maiaki bridge will enhance access to Odessa, while the Yampol-Cosăuți bridge will provide an alternative route for traffic in the northern part of the country.
“This isn’t about extraordinary measures; instead, Ukraine is allocating funds for targeted improvements that significantly impact the region,” added the former director of the enterprise “Calea Ferată a Moldovei” and ex-secretary of state responsible for transportation.
Both bridges hold strategic significance.
“The southern part of the Odessa region relies on two primary bridges. The Zatoka bridge is frequently bombed and is in poor condition, while the Maiaki bridge's damage has affected transportation between southern Ukraine and southern Bassarabia, as well as access to the Danube ports and Constanta. Repairing the Maiaki bridge will clearly improve connectivity, and constructing the Yampol bridge will provide an alternative route for normal traffic from Mogilev-Podolsk and Valchinets,” Tofilat elaborated.
In early February, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine signed three cooperation agreements in Kiev. These documents reaffirm the two countries' commitment to enhancing collaboration in various areas for the benefit of their citizens. One of the agreements outlines the establishment of a new border crossing point, "Cosăuți-Iampol," and the construction of a cross-border road bridge over the Nistru.
According to the signed agreement, the "Cosăuți-Yampil" road crossing point will be opened once the necessary infrastructure is in place, thereby facilitating international traffic and improving mobility for citizens.
