OREANDA-NEWS. Strengthening cooperation with the three post-Soviet countries will allow Europe to expand its global influence and "build up economic muscles." This opinion was shared with Foreign Affairs by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba. According to the minister, in order to accelerate integration into the European Union, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova have created a so-called associated trio. "Deepening interaction with this group of countries gives Europe the opportunity to strengthen global influence, expand the space of democratic values and pump up additional economic muscles," he explained. Kuleba also believes that this will help the new US administration to strengthen transatlantic unity and security on the eastern border of "democratic Europe."