Ukraine announces construction of Reni-Ismail rail line

The Government of Ukraine approved a project to build a rail line that will connect the port Reni to the main line Odessa-Ismail. In such a way, commodities from Kiev and other Ukrainian cities will be transported to Reni bypassing Moldova as well as Transnistria. In 2006, Ukrainian Transport and Communication Minister Viktor Bondar said that Ukraine and Moldova were considering the possibility of building railway lines that will avoid Transnistria. Ukraine suggested constructing a branch line that will join Odessa, Reni and Ismal. According to Bondari, the 60 km long line from Reni to Ismail would eliminate “the tense situation that appeared at the border with Transnistria”.