Regional leaders convened in Odesa on Tuesday for the fourth Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit, reaffirming their commitment to regional security and Ukraine’s sovereignty amid Russia’s ongoing war. The summit concluded with a joint declaration urging intensified international sanctions against Russia and enhanced cooperation across Southeast Europe.
The declaration, signed by Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, and Slovenia, called on the global community “to maintain and further strengthen sanctions against the Russian Federation in the banking and energy sector,” according to an official summit statement.
Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić attended the summit but abstained from signing the document, citing its call for sanctions on Moscow. “I could not go against myself, my country and my policies by signing the Declaration,” Vučić told reporters in Odesa (FoNet, June 11).
Despite his refusal to sign, Vučić offered a symbolic gesture of support, proposing that Serbia assume patronage over the reconstruction of one or two Ukrainian towns or regions. “It would be something very understandable and noticeable to the people in Ukraine,” he said, drawing comparisons to Azerbaijan’s post-conflict recovery efforts in Nagorno-Karabakh (FoNet).
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the initiative. “I thank you for the initiative to help with the recovery efforts and to assume patronage over the reconstruction of several Ukrainian settlements. This is a truly effective form of cooperation, and we look forward to positive results,” Zelenskyy wrote on X following the bilateral meeting.
The summit’s declaration urged the full withdrawal of Russian forces and equipment from Ukraine and emphasized the “non-negotiable” restoration of Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders as a prerequisite for peace. It also called on all states to “refrain from offering any form of material or other assistance to Russia’s war effort.”
Further, the document backed the future EU membership of Ukraine, Moldova, and Southeast European partners, describing it as “vital for the long-term stability, security, and prosperity of the region and Europe as a whole.” NATO membership was also endorsed as the “most cost-effective security option” for Ukraine.
The summit, first held in 2022, aims to bolster Kyiv’s ties with Southeastern European nations amid Russia’s invasion. Kyiv Post reported that Odesa, the summit’s host city, has faced frequent Russian attacks, including a drone strike on June 10 that killed two civilians.
Participating states also pledged support for Ukraine’s post-war recovery and reconstruction, emphasizing a multi-stakeholder approach involving international financial institutions, private sector investors, and local communities. “The countries in Southeast Europe should play a pivotal role in Ukraine’s reconstruction process,” the declaration said.