Moldova has agreed to move joint border controls to its own territory at two crossing points on the border with Ukraine. These are the ‘Kriva–Mamaliga’ and ‘Mirne–Tabaki’ road crossing points. They are situated on the Ukrainian–Moldovan border.
According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, on 23 October 2026, the Moldovan side sent an official note in which it agreed to organise joint control on Moldovan territory. “The Moldovan side sent a note in which it agreed to organise joint control on the territory of the Republic of Moldova at the ‘Kriva–Mamaliga’ and ‘Mirne–Tabaki’ road border crossing points,” the Border Guard Service reported.
Today, the Ukrainian side confirmed its readiness.
When will the new arrangements come into effect?
Despite the agreement reached, the new control scheme will not be introduced immediately. First, the necessary conditions must be put in place for Ukrainian control authorities to operate on Moldovan territory. The parties must also sign the relevant inter-agency protocols. Only once these conditions have been met will it be possible to move to joint control under the new arrangements.
This format provides for the coordinated work of the two countries’ border control services. Its aim is to make border procedures more convenient and to reduce risks for people crossing the border, as well as for staff at border crossing points. At the same time, the documentation requirements for crossing the border will remain unchanged. In other words, the agreement concerns the organisation of controls, rather than the rules that travellers must follow.
Why Ukraine and Moldova are changing their border control procedures
One of the reasons for this decision is the security situation. Russian troops regularly attack Ukrainian territory, in particular border infrastructure facilities. Moving joint controls to Moldovan territory should reduce the risks to passengers and staff in the event of shelling of Ukrainian border crossing points. At the same time, the State Border Guard Service emphasises that this is not merely a temporary measure in response to the hostilities. The agreement is also part of a wider effort to improve border and customs controls.
It is expected that the joint work of the services will help to organise border checks more effectively. However, the actual impact of the new arrangement on the speed of border crossings will depend on how it is implemented once the necessary infrastructure has been put in place and the relevant documents have been signed.
Poland is also considering changes to border controls
Similar issues are being discussed with other countries neighbouring Ukraine. Poland is prepared to consider moving border controls from Ukrainian territory to Polish territory if the security situation so requires. However, in Poland’s case, no final decision has yet been reached. Officials in Warsaw are highlighting the legal constraints associated with the Schengen Area rules.
In particular, Ukrainian border guards cannot carry out checks on Polish territory without the relevant legal agreements between the two countries.
This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.The translation was also reviewed by the Logos Press editorial team.
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