In these areas, there is a clear before and after the outbreak of war, notes EU Regional Commissioner Raffaele Fitto in Brussels.
The initiative comes amid concerns that the EU's eastern flank is being depopulated, making the border even harder to defend, notes Politico. Fitto says that border residents need security - but also investment.
However, new funds are not being allocated, as the long-term budget that expires in 2028 is stretched. Instead, Fitto wants global financial institutions, including the European Investment Bank, to be involved through a new platform called Estinvest.
