The military plans of Russia are directed towards the Odesa region, in order to destroy it and reach the borders of Ukraine with the Republic of Moldova and Romania. The warning was issued by Kiev’s leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during the Ukraine – Southeast Europe Summit, reported by IPN.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s resistance against Russian aggression represents an essential condition for European security. “Odessa is an important city for all of us, not just a symbol for southern Ukraine, it is a crossroads between Northern and Southern Europe, between the Balkans and the Caucasus, between European stability and the threats that undermine it”, mentioned the leader from Kiev, as cited by the Ukrainian press.
After the war is over, Ukraine will need not only defense assistance, but also systemic guarantees, which can make the repetition of aggression impossible, stated Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He has requested external partners to consider post-war security guarantees as a practical necessity.
In turn, the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, present at the meeting in Odesa, reiterated her support for Ukraine, especially since the war caused by Russia threatens regional stability and global order. “Ukraine is the cornerstone of European security. This war is not just about Ukraine, but about the future of Europe and the rules-based international order. An independent, European Ukraine is not a charity cause – it is in our vital interest”.
Maia Sandu announced full support for the creation of the Center for Hybrid Threat Prevention in Odessa, emphasizing Moldova’s willingness to share experiences in countering them.
The Ukraine – Southeast Europe Summit has reached its fourth edition. The initiative was launched in 2023 as a regional platform aimed at supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and contributing to managing the complex effects of the war on security and stability in the extended Southeast Europe region.
