At the CIVEX external seminar in Elblag, EPP-CoR members called for targeted support for border regions facing economic decline, hybrid threats and demographic pressure after Russia’s war against Ukraine
“Russia’s attack on Ukraine has completely overturned the reality of our border regions. Cross-border ties were broken, our economy was hit, investors became more cautious and people’s sense of security declined. But regions on the EU’s eastern border are no longer just border regions. They have become guardians of European security. Strong Eastern regions mean a safer Europe.” said Marcin Kuchciński, President of the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Region opening the extern al event of CIVEX in Elblag.
Eastern border regions have become frontline territories for Europe’s security and resilience and must receive stronger, better targeted support from the European Union to cope with the economic, demographic and security shock caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine.. That was the key message of EPP-CoR members at the CIVEX external seminar, On the EU-Russia border: perspectives and challenges for the EU border regions.
Jacek Protas, Member of the European Parliament, stressed that the EU must respond with concrete tools: “Border regions are not facing economic disruption alone. They are also on the front line of hybrid pressure, including the instrumentalisation of migrants and broader security threats. Europe must respond with targeted funding, greater flexibility in cohesion policy and dual-use investments that strengthen both everyday life and preparedness in times of crisis.”
Mathieu Cuip, Regional Councillor of the Region of Ile-de-France said that “Regions along the European Union’s eastern borders, particularly here in Poland, are facing exceptionally complex realities, marked by new strategic risks, social pressures and economic vulnerability. It is the Union’s responsibility to provide concrete, effective and coordinated support. The security and resilience of these frontline regions are crucial to Europe’s future and to preserving the cohesion of our territories, especially at a time of decisive budget discussions on the next Multiannual Financial Framework.”
Konstantinas Rečkovas, Druskininkai Municipality Councillor and CoR Young Elected Politician (EPP), underlined the direct pressure faced by local authorities on the eastern flank: “Coming from a border region next to Belarus, we are the first tier of authorities facing disinformation, political pressure and physical actions such as the weaponisation of migration. For Lithuania, these actions are not random. They are orchestrated by the Kremlin and carried out by Lukashenko’s regime in Belarus.”
The discussions in Elbląg sent a clear political message: communities on the EU’s eastern border cannot be left to absorb the consequences of geopolitical confrontation alone. Supporting their resilience, safeguarding their development and reinforcing their security is a strategic European responsibility. The programme brought together local, regional, national and EU-level representatives to assess both the risks and the policy responses needed.
Ahead of the seminar, participants took part in a study visit to Braniewo, near the Russian border, where local authorities described the impact of the closed border with Russia on trade, tourism, local businesses and public services. Participants also visited the Grzechotki-Mamonowo II crossing on the Polish-Russian border, included in the official programme, where they were briefed on the strict controls in place at the border with Kaliningrad.