On December 2, 2025, NFF convened a high-level Geopolitics and Business Roundtable in Washington, D.C., focused on advancing the U.S. Energy Dominance Agenda and Energy Security in Southeast Europe. Held under Chatham House rules, the discussion brought together senior representatives of U.S. institutions, finance, and industry with partners from the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) region. The roundtable reaffirmed strong U.S. institutional support for Croatia as a strategic regional energy hub.

A high-level Energy Diplomacy Reception, co-hosted by the Croatian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the New Frontier Foundation, brought together senior U.S. and international stakeholders, including Croatia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Gordan Grlić-Radman.

Key perspectives on the direction of U.S. foreign and energy policy were delivered by officials from the White House, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Department of Energy. The discussion emphasized that U.S. energy leadership is increasingly aligned with transatlantic security priorities and driven by a pragmatic, profit-oriented, and private-sector-led policy framework.

Sanctions, Energy Diplomacy, and Strategic Competition

Participants examined the role of U.S. economic sanctions as a strategic foreign policy instrument, particularly in limiting Russian influence and restricting war financing through energy trade. At the same time, speakers discussed the direct and indirect impact of U.S. economic sanctions on regional energy security in Southeast Europe, including market stability, investment risk, and supply diversification dynamics.

U.S. officials stressed the importance of coupling sanctions with active energy diplomacy, regulatory clarity, and close coordination with the private sector to ensure that security objectives and commercial realities remain aligned.

Strong institutional backing was reaffirmed for:

• Hydrocarbon exploration and production
• Expansion of gas and LNG infrastructure
• Acceleration of supply diversification projects across Southeast and Central Europe

Domestic Oil and Gas Production as a Pillar of Croatia’s Energy Independence

A dedicated segment of the discussion focused on the importance of Croatia’s domestic oil and gas production as a critical option for strengthening national and regional energy independence. Participants emphasized that responsible development of onshore and offshore hydrocarbon resources in the Adriatic can:

• Reduce long-term import dependence
• Increase system resilience during supply disruptions
• Strengthen Croatia’s role as a net contributor to regional energy security

U.S. institutional and investor interest was noted in supporting exploration, production, and associated infrastructure, provided that projects meet modern environmental, regulatory, and commercial standards.

Growing U.S. Investor Interest

A key takeaway for U.S. markets was the confirmation that U.S. private equity and infrastructure investors are actively analyzing the full spectrum of regional projects, including:

• LNG trading and terminal expansion
• Cross-border gas interconnections
• Oil and gas exploration and production
• Nuclear energy, including next-generation technologies
• Data center developments and energy-intensive digital infrastructure

The region was repeatedly described as one of the most dynamic energy and infrastructure investment environments in Europe today, driven by security priorities, reshoring of strategic industries, and long-term demand for reliable baseload power.

The Three Seas Initiative and North–South Energy Corridors

The Three Seas Initiative was identified as a critical platform for advancing North–South energy connectivity, LNG market integration, and transport infrastructure that strengthens both economic competitiveness and NATO resilience.

Croatia as a Strategic Gateway Market

Croatia was highlighted as a gateway market for U.S. energy and infrastructure investment into Southeast and Central Europe, particularly through:

• Expansion of the LNG Krk
• Development of regional gas interconnectors
• Strengthening of oil transport infrastructure, including the strategic role of JANAF
• New opportunities in power generation and grid stability, driven by data centers and AI-related demand

Looking Ahead to the 2026 Three Seas Summit

The roundtable also served as a strategic lead-in to Croatia’s upcoming presidency of the Three Seas Initiative and the 3SI Summit in April 2026 in Dubrovnik. Participants agreed that Croatia’s geopolitical position as a proven NATO and transatlantic ally aligns closely with the U.S. objectives of energy diversification, infrastructure security, and strategic investment.

The presence of U.S. development finance institutions, including the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and the EXIM Bank of the United States, further confirmed strong American interest in supporting the financing of commercially viable and strategically relevant projects.

The central conclusion of the roundtable was clear:
Southeast Europe is now a frontline investment and security market for U.S. energy leadership—and speed of execution will determine long-term strategic advantage.