Ukraine opens its first railway line with European track width standard

The event symbolizes the country’s future integration with the European Union. This historic event took place on September 5, 2025.

Ukraine first railway built to the European Union’s standard track width is a 22-kilometer link between Uzhhorod and Chop (near the border to Slovakia). It tightens the country’s transport ties to the EU even as Russia’s initiated war on Ukraine goes on.

The line uses the EU’s 1,435-millimeter gauge rather than Ukraine’s traditional 1,520-millimeter broad gauge. The project was funded by a €28.6 million package—half from a European Investment Bank loan backed by the EU’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility and half from an EU Connecting Europe Facility grant. It includes upgraded signaling, communications, and centralized control systems to boost capacity and safety.

By eliminating a break of gauge at the Slovak and Hungarian borders, the route cuts travel times. It streamlines passengers’ movement to cities such as Košice, Budapest, and Vienna. Officials say it will accelerate trade, support reconstruction, and make rail more competitive with road transport. “This is a historic step toward EU integration,” said European Investment Bank Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska.