The first tracks of integration: Ukraine’s shift to EU standard railways is underway Defence24 14.09.2025 09:30 DrukujPDFPhoto. European Invest Bank FacebookTwitterLinkedInCopy linkSend email Ukraine has just opened its first railway line with the European track width standard, marking the beginning of track gauge conversion from Russian track gauge. That’s why Ukraine’s rail network had been predominantly oriented toward Russia until 2022. This objective is supported by the Ukrainian National Transport Strategy, approved in late 2024, which aims to integrate Ukraine’s transport system into the Trans-European Transport Network. Given Ukraine’s war-depleted budget, EU financial support will be crucial in transforming the country’s rail network.