Russia's war against Ukraine will intensify economic and political cooperation between Eastern European countries.

The Presidents of Poland, Latvia and Estonia were convinced of this at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The three countries belong to the Three Seas Initiative launched in 2016, in which a total of sixteen countries in Eastern and Southeastern Europe have come together.

The name of the initiative refers to the Baltic Sea, the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea, between which the member states lie.

Gerald Braunberger

Editor.

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"The war has given the initiative additional importance, not least with a view to energy security," said Poland's President Andrzej Duda.

"Networking among members has enabled Poland to be independent of gas supplies from Russia." Duda also pointed to cross-border infrastructure projects that have enabled Poland to develop economically weaker regions in the east of the country.

"I hope Ukraine wins this war"

"The region feels connected not only by geography, but also by common experiences and goals," noted Latvian President Egils Levits.

“This is not only important for us, but also for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe.

In terms of economic output, we provide the most significant aid to Ukraine.

Poland alone has taken in more refugees since the outbreak of war than all European countries combined during the 2015 refugee crisis.” The initiative has an economic foundation, but is also supported by political commitment.

Because of the war, Eastern Europe gets more attention.

“The importance of external security in Europe has grown.

NATO's eastern flank needs to be further strengthened,” Levits stressed.

“Not strength, but weakness is a provocation for Russia. Russia is an aggressive state that needs to be deterred.

NATO's strength is the foundation of security throughout Europe.

That is peace policy.”

Duda was at least as clear about the war in Ukraine.

"I hope that Ukraine will win this war," said the Polish President.

“We know Russian imperialism from our own experience.

We know about Russian invasion, Russian terror and Russian occupation.

You have to stop Russia.” Ukraine can count on support.

In economic terms, the war could initially delay investment projects in Eastern Europe, but Estonian President Alar Karis does not expect any long-term damage, not least since the United States has shown interest in the region for years.

“We form a single market with 112 people.

Our economy is dynamic;

our populations aspire to Western European living standards,” said Karis.

Estonia's President emphasized that there must be life with Russia after the war.

"Russia will remain a neighbor," Karis stated matter-of-factly.

"We have no interest in completely isolating Russia, because then they might attack again."