The Intermarium region comprises a group of geographically contiguous Central and Eastern European countries that share a common historical, social, and cultural identity. Many were socialist buffer republics, either Soviet republics or otherwise subordinate to the USSR. As a region, they form a land buffer from the Baltic to the Black Sea[1] that could balance future Russian influence in Europe.[2][3]
Intermarium | |
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 Map of the Three Seas Initiative |
The term has gained currency in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine,[4] as humanitarian and military aid has been offered to Ukraine, increasing its defence resources (GDP).[5][6] Support for Ukraine has also included many countries that have condemned Russia's actions and imposed sanctions, including Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. Other assistance includes accelerated and expanded energy projects; communications projects; and various NATO defence projects, including NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence.[7]
Etymology
editThe definition of the Intermarium region as a geopolitical centre does not refer to Józef Piłsudski's similarly named concept for the federalisation of European states. The term "Intermarium Region" refers to close cooperation within the European Union.[8] The creation of the Eastern Partnership, the Bucharest Nine, the Visegrád Group, and later the Three Seas Initiative created a regional dialogue on issues affecting the member states.[9][10][11] The Lublin Triangle was established to strengthen mutual military, cultural, economic, and political cooperation and to support Ukraine's integration into the European Union and NATO.
Geopolitics
editThe countries bordering Ukraine and Russia are exposed to the effects of Russian energy blackmail[citation needed] and the economic consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Intermarium region, together with the countries of the European Union, has accelerated energy, communications, and defence projects[12] and will participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine,[13] which has become an official candidate for membership in the European Union. This will enable these countries to form a future buffer from the Baltic to the Black Sea, balancing Russian imperial influence in Europe.[14] The American geopolitician George Friedman refers to the Intermarium region in his works and speeches.[15][16]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "The Role of Poland and Polonia in the Current Global Balance of Power" (PDF).
- ^ Davydenko, Denys. "Denys Davydenko, Book Review, 'The Intermarium as the Polish-Ukrainian Linchpin of Baltic-Black Sea Cooperation' by Ostap Kushnir (ed.), Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2019, pp. 210".
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "Principles of War and Operational Art in the Context of the Future Security" (PDF). Retrieved 2022-09-17.
- ^ "Standoff Between Old and New Europe - Kyiv Post - Ukraine's Global Voice". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
- ^ "Russia underestimated the possible support from Poland and the Baltic States to Ukraine [interview]". defence24.com (in Polish). Retrieved 2022-09-17.
- ^ "Greece, Romania, Poland, Lithuania call for special treatment of defence in EU debt rules | eKathimerini.com". www.ekathimerini.com. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
- ^ Umland, Andreas (2022-01-01). "The Intermarium Idea in the Post-Soviet Period: Ideas and Institutions for a Security Alliance between the Baltic and Black Seas". Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics and Society.
- ^ Ištok, Robert; Kozárová, Irina; Polačková, Anna (2021-01-05). "The Intermarium as a Polish Geopolitical Concept in History and in the Present". Geopolitics. 26 (1): 314–341. doi:10.1080/14650045.2018.1551206. ISSN 1465-0045. S2CID 150017817.
- ^ "Comparing strategic cultures of selected member states of the Three Seas Initiative" (PDF).
- ^ "Trimarium is not Intermarium". New Eastern Europe - A bimonthly news magazine dedicated to Central and Eastern European affairs. 2017-07-06. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
- ^ "Intermarium in the 21st Century". The Institute of World Politics. 2020-12-24. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
- ^ "Inauguration of the gas interconnector between Poland and Slovakia". European Commission - European Commission. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
- ^ Ptak, Alicja (2022-07-07). "Hundreds of Polish companies sign up for scheme to rebuild Ukraine after war". Notes From Poland. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
- ^ The Intermarium What is it? Poland Ukraine Baltics | George Friedman, retrieved 2022-09-17
- ^ "From the Intermarium to the Three Seas". Geopolitical Futures. 2017-07-07. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- ^ Redakcja (2015-09-22). "George Friedman o Intermarium". Portal Międzymorza JAGIELLONIA.ORG (in Polish). Retrieved 2023-01-03.