THE MAIN MECHANISMS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE STATE POLICY OF DEVELOPING RAIL FREIGHT TRANSPORT IN THE CONTEXT OF UKRAINE’S EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

Abstract

In the context of strengthening Ukraine's European integration course, the issue of modernizing rail freight transport is becoming key to ensuring the competitiveness of the state's logistics system, integration into the Trans-European Transport Network and the implementation of the Association Agreement with the EU. Existing institutional, technical and investment challenges require a comprehensive approach to shaping policy in the field of rail freight transport. The purpose of the article is to analyze the mechanisms for developing rail freight transport in Ukraine in the light of European integration priorities. The study uses comparative, systemic, structural-functional and institutional approaches, as well as elements of content analysis of regulatory legal acts and strategic documents of the EU and Ukraine. It has been established that, despite the existing positive developments in the regulatory support of transport policy, the process of adapting the Ukrainian rail freight sector to EU standards remains fragmentary. Limitations associated with the wear and tear of rolling stock, low level of private capital attraction, lack of a clear long-term investment incentive program and insufficient harmonization of technical parameters were identified. The role of public-private partnership mechanisms, leasing and tax incentives for the modernization of infrastructure and rolling stock was emphasized. The implementation of an effective transport policy in the freight railway sector requires in-depth institutional coordination, harmonization of technical regulations with European standards, as well as the introduction of effective economic incentives. Further research should be aimed at developing an adaptive model for assessing the compliance of the national transport system with European requirements, taking into account infrastructure, legal and financial aspects.