Panel IXa, titled “The Strategic Role of the Danube in Logistics and Connectivity” moderated by Mr. Stefan Hofmann, Head of the KAS Romania Offices within the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, brought together Mr. Andrii Kashuba, Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine (via VTC); Mr. George Scutaru, CEO of the New Strategy Center; Mr. Wilfried Jilge, Associate Fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations; and Rear Admiral (ret.) Liviu Coman, Senior Associate Expert at the New Strategy Center and former Commander of the Naval Component Command.

The discussions highlighted that the Danube had become an essential logistical and strategic corridor amid the war in Ukraine, increasingly complex hybrid pressures, and the need to strengthen NATO and EU military mobility. Speakers emphasized that, following Russia’s aggression in 2022, traditional transport routes became overstretched or vulnerable, accelerating the development and use of Danube infrastructure. Ukraine critically relied on Danube ports to maintain grain exports and broader supply chains. In contrast, repeated Russian attacks on port facilities exposed the fragility of naval infrastructure and underscored the need to modernize transport, transshipment, and surveillance systems rapidly.

The panel concluded that the Danube represents a strategic hub for the entire Euro-Atlantic architecture: a corridor for military mobility, a vector of economic integration, and a key platform for regional cooperation. Participants underlined the need for closer coordination between Romania, Ukraine, and the Republic of Moldova, including the full integration of Ukraine into European military mobility programs, the strengthening of port infrastructure, the removal of administrative bottlenecks, and the development of joint mechanisms to counter hybrid threats. According to the experts, enhancing the resilience and security of the Danube is not merely a regional goal but a strategic imperative for the stability of Europe as a whole.