Odesa — The City of Strategic Dialogue

On September 19, Odesa once again became a crossroads of meanings, not only of roads. The Forum “Ukraine — Moldova. Inter-Municipal and Cross-Border Partnership”, initiated by the Institute of Danube Studies and the Odesa Regional Branch of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, brought together those who understand: it is local self-government that shapes the future of nations.

At the heart of the conversation were community security, partnership building, and European integration. Symbolically, it was Odesa — a port city, multinational and open to the world — that became the stage for frank dialogue between Ukrainian and Moldovan municipalities.

The Mayor’s Word

Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov spoke not about formalities, but about values:

“What unites us is not only the border. It is our shared history, values, and communities. But above all — our shared goal: the European future.”

His words sounded like a reminder: European integration is not an abstract slogan but a concrete task carried out by communities.

The Position of the Institute of Danube Research

Vitalii Barvinenko, Head of Odesa District Council and Director of the Institute of Danube Research, focused on the most pressing issue — security:

“No country can guarantee stability without acknowledging the military dimension. Threats from Russia concern not only Ukraine — they are a challenge for the entire region. That is why today we must not just be partners, but allies.”

This was a strong signal: partnership is not only about cultural or economic projects. It is about joint defense, reforms, and everyday work with communities.

The International Dimension

The forum gained additional weight with the participation of prominent diplomats. Valery Chechelashvili, Georgian politician and former Minister of Finance, contributed international depth to the dialogue. Igor Munteanu, President of the CUB party and former Moldovan Ambassador to the US, underlined that Ukraine and Moldova need not symbolic but practical cooperation.

Odesa as a Platform for the Future

The forum proved that Odesa is more than a city by the sea — it is a platform for regional policy of a new kind, where local governments take responsibility for a shared future.

Odesa is the city of strategic dialogue. Odesa is where Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania are learning to be allies — allies in security, allies in reforms, and allies in their European choice.