Hanna Hopko called on the EU to develop a strategy for the Black Sea region and stressed that the Romanian Presidency in the EU is a good opportunity for Brussels to strengthen EU-US cooperation to counter common security threats in the region. "After the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU, the Black Sea became the European Union's sea, but now we see how it is transformed into a "Russian lake" after occupation and annexation of the Ukrainian Crimea. The Kremlin has already placed the newest missiles in Crimea, brutally violating the Intermediate-Rage Nuclear Forces Treaty. Therefore, it is very important to have a strategic vision of Russia's deterrence in the Black Sea region and to curb Russian militarism, " said Hanna Hopko.

Also, she emphasized the need to stop the construction of the Nord Stream 2, the introduction of the Azov package of sanctions, the strengthening of the requirements for the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war, hostages and political prisoners illegally detained in the territory of the Russian Federation and the occupied territories of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk areas. 

Vice-chairman of the Committee on European Integration Maria Ionova voted for priorities for Ukraine during the presidency of Romania in the EU Council. 

Mykhailo Gonchar noted that the decision of European countries to suspend the participation in the Nord Stream 2 project for six months - the term proposed by the United States for the rescue of IRNFT - could be an additional asymmetric lever of influence on the Russian Federation.

During the discussion, the following important topics were discussed: the European Union's actions and initiatives concerning Ukraine and the Black Sea region; development of EU-Ukraine relations in the first half of 2019; the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and the prospects for the Eastern Partnership; the contribution of Ukrainian NGOs to the European integration of our state.