The European Committee of the Regions' Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and the EU Budget (COTER) held an exchange of views on the forthcoming opinion The EU's Eastern Regions Bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, with rapporteur Adam Struzik (PL/EPP), President of the Mazowieckie Region.
The debate focused on how the European Union can better support its eastern regions as they continue to face the long-term consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine and heightened geopolitical tensions. CoR Members discussed the need for an integrated approach that combines security, resilience, territorial cohesion and economic development.
In his working document, Mr Struzik argues that the EU's eastern regions should be recognised not as peripheral or buffer zones, but as strategic territories that contribute to the resilience, security and cohesion of the Union as a whole. The opinion explores five key priorities: addressing demographic decline and weakening investment attractiveness; ensuring that security and defence investments also promote innovation, competitiveness and regional development; mobilising dedicated public and private investment through new financial instruments; strengthening strategic transport, energy, digital and dual-use infrastructure; and preserving a place-based cohesion policy built on partnership and multilevel governance.
Mr Struzik stressed that Europe's response must extend beyond security considerations and reinforce the long-term development of eastern territories. "This is not just a question of security, it is also about long-term resilience and building cohesion."
He underlined that many eastern regions remain among the weakest economically in the European Union and argued that strengthening resilience must go hand in hand with investment in economic growth. Referring to contributions from experts from the OECD and the European Investment Bank, he welcomed the broad support for this integrated approach. In this regard he said "I hope that, at the end of the journey, we'll have an opinion that will, in a way, encourage the governments of those countries, border countries, and also at the European level, to give some extra support. Maybe a special programme or maybe ring-fenced funds to enhance security, resilience and cohesion in these regions."
The draft opinion is scheduled for adoption by the COTER Commission on 17–18 September 2026, before its planned adoption by the European Committee of the Regions plenary on 2–3 December 2026.
Background
The opinion is being prepared in response to the European Commission's Communication on the EU's eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. The Communication recognises that the regions most affected by Russia's war against Ukraine and broader geopolitical tensions face specific economic, demographic, security and infrastructure challenges. It calls for a coordinated European approach to strengthen their resilience, improve connectivity and military mobility, reinforce critical infrastructure, support investment and competitiveness, and ensure that these territories can continue to contribute to the European Union's security, cohesion and long-term prosperity.
