At the fourth Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit held in Odessa on Wednesday, the participating nations urged the global community to boost support for Ukraine and enhance sanctions against Russia, particularly in the banking and energy sectors.

President Jakov Milatović represented Montenegro at the summit.

The declaration, which was endorsed by ten of the eleven participating countries, saw Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić abstaining from signing. It calls for the international community to intensify assistance to Ukraine “in its fight to defend freedom, independence, and territorial integrity,” while urging all nations to “refrain from providing any material or other assistance to Russia’s military efforts.”

In a comprehensive 19-point declaration, the summit participants emphasized the need for the international community to sustain and further reinforce sanctions on Russia, particularly concerning oil price restrictions and targeting the Russian ‘shadow fleet’ to cut off resources essential for its aggression against Ukraine. They also called for measures to prevent any circumvention of these sanctions.

The document asserts, “Russia must be held accountable and must provide full compensation for the unlawful war of aggression against Ukraine.” It notes that Russian assets can play a constructive role in Ukraine’s recovery, in line with international law, and is signed by officials from Ukraine, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova.

The declaration “strongly condemns the brutal Russian war against Ukraine,” labeling it “a grave crime against the Ukrainian people, a clear violation of international law, and a significant threat to peace, security, and stability both in Europe and globally.”

They recognize and support Ukraine’s efforts to seek a diplomatic resolution toward achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace. Furthermore, they reaffirm their steadfast support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including its territorial waters, and pledge to deliver ongoing and sustainable support to Ukraine and its citizens for as long as required.

The declaration lists “the complete withdrawal of Russian forces and equipment from all Ukrainian territory, the cessation of hostilities, and the complete restoration of Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders” as essential, non-negotiable conditions for achieving a strong and enduring peace.

Additionally, the signatories condemned the war crimes and atrocities committed by the Russian armed forces, including targeted, disproportionate, and indiscriminate attacks on civilians and vital infrastructure, along with the forced deportation of thousands of Ukrainian civilians, including children, to Russia from temporarily occupied territories.

The document also emphasizes the necessity of thorough, independent investigations into Russian war crimes against Ukrainians and other offenses in and against Ukraine, ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.

Moreover, the participants support international initiatives to establish a special tribunal for the crime of aggression committed by Russia against Ukraine. The declaration is endorsed by the presidents of Ukraine, Montenegro, Romania, and Moldova—Volodymyr Zelensky, Jakov Milatović, Nikušor Dan, and Maja Sandu—as well as the prime ministers of Greece, Croatia, and Bulgaria—Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Andrej Plenković, and Rosen Željaskov, and other notable officials.

The declaration also highlights that Ukraine’s energy infrastructure “continues to be the target of intentional and systematic attacks by Russia” and reaffirms the commitment to aiding in “the ongoing and post-war recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.”

Participants explored ways to enhance their support, including mobilizing private sector resources for necessary equipment and funding. They also stressed the importance of improved regional coordination and robust power interconnections to mitigate the effects of these attacks and bolster regional energy security.

Furthermore, the document states that the outcomes from the Odessa Summit “build upon the considerations and conclusions” of previous Ukraine-Southeast Europe summits held in Athens in August 2023, Tirana in February 2024, and Dubrovnik in October 2024.

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