The European Commission has announced a comprehensive support strategy for regions bordering Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. The plan includes the creation of an anti-drone shield, the launch of the EastInvest financial instrument for local entrepreneurs, and the establishment of a border observatory. These actions aim to counteract depopulation in border areas, combat hybrid threats, and stimulate economic growth in regions most affected by the consequences of Russian aggression.

Anti-drone shield and observatory

The Eastern Flank Watch initiative envisions building an airspace protection system and establishing an observatory to monitor threats on the borders with Russia and Belarus.

EastInvest fund for business

The new financial instrument is intended to provide access to loans and advisory services for companies in border regions, compensating for losses resulting from the collapse of trade and tourism.

Development of Corridor VIII

Ministers from Balkan states confirmed the strategic importance of the axis connecting the Adriatic with the Black Sea, which is crucial for the security and stability of the southern flank.

The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, has presented an ambitious plan to strengthen the Community's eastern frontiers. The strategy focuses on regions in Poland, Finland, the Baltic states, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria, which are directly feeling the effects of the war in Ukraine. A key element of the initiative is the "Eastern Flank Watch" project, which envisions building a European anti-drone shield and enhancing cooperation in the area of civilian airspace surveillance. The Commission's Vice-President, Raffaele Fitto, emphasized that supporting these areas is not just a technical requirement but, above all, a political responsibility for all of Europe. Since 2014, following the illegal annexation of Crimea, the European Union's eastern borders have become an area of heightened geopolitical risk, forcing a revision of previous cohesion and security policies.The economic pillar of the strategy is based on a new instrument called EastInvest. It is intended to facilitate local companies' access to loans and advisory services, which is essential in the face of the collapse of cross-border trade and the outflow of tourists. The plan also includes investments in the energy sector and dual-use technologies, including drone production. Concurrently, in Paris, Canada declared increased support for Ukraine's energy sector, providing equipment for oil and gas extraction on preferential terms. These actions correspond with declarations from Balkan states regarding the development of Corridor VIII, which is to become a strategic transport axis connecting the Adriatic with the Black Sea, strengthening the cohesion of southeastern Europe. „Our security depends on the strength, resilience, and stability of our eastern border regions.” — Ursula von der Leyenis the total length of the European Union's border with Russia and BelarusThe launch of the investment platform is scheduled for this coming Thursday, which is intended to send a clear signal of solidarity with residents of frontline areas. Experts indicate that without systemic support, these regions could become permanently economically backward due to the instrumentalization of migration by foreign regimes and continuous hybrid attacks. The strategy is thus multidimensional: from hard military security, through economic stability, to the continent's social cohesion. Liberal media emphasize the importance of European solidarity and protecting democratic values at the borders through social and economic support. | Conservative press accentuates the necessity of building hard defense infrastructure, protecting sovereignty, and physically sealing borders against migration.

Mentioned People

  • Raffaele Fitto — Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the strategy supporting eastern regions.
  • Ursula von der Leyen — President of the European Commission, signatory of the plan to strengthen border security.