Statements by Yuliia Svyrydenko at the Three Seas Initiative Summit
Following the Three Seas Initiative summit held in Croatia, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko announced the country’s readiness to become part of Europe’s emerging security architecture. She emphasized that Ukraine is already making a substantial contribution to regional security, resilience, and development, highlighting the critical importance of defense, energy, and infrastructure initiatives. This summit, which brings together Central and Eastern European nations, focuses on enhancing connectivity and cooperation across these sectors.
Svyrydenko proposed four concrete objectives under the Three Seas Initiative:
- Extending the Via Carpathia route from Rzeszów through Lviv to Kyiv;
- Expanding the Rail2Sea corridor to the port of Odesa;
- Developing dedicated reverse-flow gas capacities into Ukraine’s underground storage facilities via interconnectors with neighboring countries;
- Establishing a separate funding window for Ukrainian projects within the Three Seas Investment Fund.
The Prime Minister also stated that Kyiv expects the first financial package to be unlocked during Poland’s upcoming presidency of the initiative.
“This format must take on a new role within Europe’s security architecture, which has fundamentally changed over the past decade. Ukraine is ready to be an integral part of it.” — Yuliia Svyrydenko
She further stressed that “first and foremost is security and defense. Here, Ukrainians are writing new rules for modern warfare.” Svyrydenko added that “the energy dimension is a key area for both security and economic stability,” underscoring the need for collaboration with international partners to develop energy routes.
Svyrydenko expressed gratitude to the region’s countries for their support since the start of the full-scale war and voiced hope for continued cooperation within the Three Seas Initiative to ensure stability and security across Europe.
Ukraine’s Strategic Role in European Security
These remarks by Yuliia Svyrydenko underscore Ukraine’s strategic importance to European security, particularly amid current challenges. She highlighted the significance of infrastructure projects and energy independence as essential pillars for regional stability.
As the Three Seas Initiative aims to strengthen ties among Eastern and Central European nations, Ukraine’s active engagement could significantly shape new economic and security strategies for the region.
As Ukraine seeks to solidify its role in Europe’s security framework, the situation with Russia remains a pressing concern. Recent demands for security guarantees from Moscow highlight the complexities of the region's geopolitical landscape. For a deeper understanding of how Ukraine is navigating its defensive strategies amid these challenges, read more about Russia's call for security assurances.