Zelenskyy outlines Ukraine’s vision for deeper cooperation in Three Seas Initiative
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
After yesterday’s large-scale energy crisis in Spain and Portugal, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the countries of the Three Seas region to deepen cooperation in the field of security. Ukraine has proposed three key areas for joint action, according to the president's statement on Telegram.
"We all saw what happened to our friends in Spain and Portugal — a serious energy crisis. Both countries were on the verge of a blackout. Fortunately, they managed to restore most of the electricity supply. But the very fact that such a large-scale failure can occur is a challenge. A challenge we must respond to — and respond together," Zelenskyy said in his speech at the Three Seas Summit.
The President added that the war has taught Ukraine not only how to recover from Russian missiles and bombs, but also how to counter cyberattacks and other threats. Ukraine has gained unique knowledge and experience and is ready to share it with its partners through closer cooperation.
"We need greater security cooperation. Ukraine proposes to carry it out in the Three Seas format," Zelenskyy suggested.
Three key areas of cooperation
Zelenskyy also outlined three key areas in which cooperation between the countries in this format should be carried out. First and foremost, the main focus should be on energy.
"We need to protect our energy infrastructure, especially near the Russian borders, and develop joint action plans for emergency situations. We must test how prepared we are to defend and restore energy systems if something happens," the head of state emphasized.
Secondly, he said, it is necessary to ensure backup power supplies so that there are more ways to support one another.
"Power grids, pipelines, communication systems — all critical infrastructure must be built with backup routes in mind. So that every country can help others in a time of crisis," Zelenskyy stressed.
The third area of cooperation, he said, should be transportation: logistics in the Three Seas region must be improved.
"Just as the Baltic Sea can help when problems arise in the Black Sea, the Black Sea should also assist your countries in case of a crisis. And all of us should have fast access to the Adriatic Sea — in case something happens in that region," the president added.
But for all three of these areas to function reliably, Ukraine needs a stable peace, Zelenskyy concluded.
Three Seas Initiative
The Three Seas Initiative is an international economic and infrastructure initiative that brings together 13 EU countries with access to the Baltic, Black, and Adriatic Seas. Its members include Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, and Greece.
Ukraine became an associated partner of the Three Seas Initiative in 2023. At that time, during the summit in Bucharest, both Ukraine and Moldova were granted associate partner status.
This year’s Three Seas Summit began yesterday, April 28, in Warsaw.
