Chișinău hosts delegates from over 30 countries at Black Sea security conference

23 March 2026, Chisinau - The Republic of Moldova is hosting the third edition of the Black Sea Security Conference of the International Crimea Platform, with the participation of delegations from over 30 countries and representatives of international organizations. The event is co-organized by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, with the support of the European Union.

The opening of the meeting took place in the presence of Moldova's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mihai Popșoi, Minister of Defense Anatolie Nosatîi, and Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oleksandr Mischenko. Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, joined the event online.

In his remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popșoi spoke about the importance of the Black Sea region for European and international security and highlighted the need for solidarity and joint efforts to maintain regional stability. The minister underscored the role of cooperation among states in identifying solutions to the challenges generated by the war launched by Russia, noting that Ukraine is defending not only its own sovereignty but also the security of the entire continent.

"We stand in solidarity with Ukraine and commend its resilience in the face of the brutal aggression of the Russian Federation. Thanks to Ukraine's resistance, Russia is being kept away from our borders and from the rest of Europe. Moldova remains a strong supporter of advancing the next stages that will lead to the operationalization of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and the establishment of a Claims Commission. These objectives are among our country's priorities during its Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe," Mihai Popșoi stated.

The Deputy Prime Minister also referred to the impact of the war on the Republic of Moldova, including challenges caused by hybrid warfare that go beyond conventional military dimensions: cyberattacks, disinformation and manipulation campaigns, as well as energy pressure. At the same time, he warned that Russia's actions in the Black Sea generate major consequences for the environment and critical infrastructure, with effects felt not only in Ukraine but across the region.

"Russia's operations in the Black Sea area create military, energy, and food security risks, affect freedom of navigation, and cause significant environmental damage, impacting the littoral states. A strikingexample is the recent bombardment of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which led to pollution of the Dniester River and, consequently, left several districts in northern Moldova without drinking water," the head of Moldovan diplomacy concluded.

Mihai Popșoi also highlighted the role of the European Union in strengthening regional security and emphasized that its enlargement, including through the accession of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine to the EU, represents a strategic investment in Europe's peace and stability.

In conclusion, the Deputy Prime Minister called for strengthening joint efforts by Black Sea littoral states and international partners to address the challenges in the region.

The meeting continues the dialogue launched in Bucharest (2023) and subsequently in Sofia (2024), in the context of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine. This year's edition includes four panel discussions focusing on the impact on security in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, with emphasis on regional security strategies, ensuring freedom of navigation, protecting critical infrastructure, and strengthening regional cooperation, including the need to identify coordinated measures to enhance energy and food security, as well as to develop economic links.