Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has launched a new regional forum with the inaugural Carpathian 8 Summit, bringing together leaders from eight nations in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, western Ukraine. The three-day event, held from September 18 to 20, focuses on bolstering cooperation in areas such as security, energy, and cross-border economic development.
Key European leaders, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Romanian President Nicusor Dan, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, participated in the discussions. Slovakia was represented by a senior official from its foreign ministry. The summit seeks to enhance regional collaboration among Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria.
A significant aspect of the summit is the economic dialogue, which attracted around 500 business representatives. President Zelensky announced that investment agreements and projects exceeding €1 billion are in preparation, with nearly 100 initiatives from the participating countries being showcased. The discussions emphasized improving transport and energy infrastructure and fostering regional mobility.
Poland, reiterating its support for Ukraine, underscored the importance of regional cooperation. The summit also aims to facilitate Ukraine’s European integration and offer a platform for dialogue with countries holding varied stances on military assistance to Kyiv.
By focusing on strengthening trade and investment links across the Carpathian region, the summit marks a proactive step in addressing shared challenges and opportunities among these European nations.