26 August 2025
(PHOTO: Intent/Natalia Dovbysh)
In Odesa, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga met with his fellow ministers - Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg, Maxime Prevost of Belgium and Helen Bakker , Director General for European Cooperation at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to an Intent correspondent, Andriy Sybiga said that the meeting in Odesa was the beginning of cooperation in a new format - Ukraine-Benelux.
The ministers' visit to Odesa was not announced in advance for security reasons.
The Benelux is a political and economic union in Europe established in 1944. It includes the countries of the customs and economic union - Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The name Benelux comes from the first syllables of the original names of the member states.
Together with Ukraine, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg have condemned Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine in the strongest terms and expressed their unity with the people of Ukraine. The diplomats of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg emphasized that their joint visit to Odesa reflects the unwavering support of the Benelux countries in ensuring the security of vital grain routes through the Black Sea, which are crucial for global food security, regional stability and Ukraine's economy.
During their visit to Odesa, the Ministers paid tribute to the fallen Ukrainians and witnessed first-hand the consequences of Russian aggression, including the damaged Odesa port and repeated attacks on energy facilities. In addition, the foreign ministers pledged to jointly allocate 2 million euros to support a prosthetics center at Odesa Medical University.
In June 2025, the Black Sea Prayer Breakfast, which this year became the largest regional event of its kind in Ukraine, was held in Odesa on May 31.
Кирило Бойко