President Volodymyr Zelenskiy launched the "Carpathian Eight" at a summit in western Ukraine to deepen trade, energy and security cooperation among eight Carpathian-region states and the EU. He announced 50 agreements worth more than €1 billion, with over half focused on solar and wind projects. Leaders including Donald Tusk, Aleksandar Vucic and Nicusor Dan attended the opening session. The initiative aims to make the Carpathians an energy supplier for the EU while strengthening regional logistics and security.
Zelenskiy Unveils 'Carpathian Eight' to Boost Trade, Energy and Security — 50 Deals Worth €1bn
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Czech politician Jiri Drahos, Austrian politician Christine Schwarz-Fuchs and Romanian President Nicusor Dan talk during the first time Carpathian Eight Summit, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ukraine, September 18, 2026. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sept. 18 launched the "Carpathian Eight," a new regional bloc uniting eight Carpathian-area states and the European Union to deepen cooperation on trade, energy and security. The inaugural summit in western Ukraine aims to strengthen cross-border logistics and energy links in response to Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other participants at the first-time Carpathian Eight Summit meeting, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ukraine, September 18, 2026. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
Zelenskiy announced on Telegram that 50 agreements were signed at the summit with a combined value of more than €1 billion ($1.15 billion). He said more than half of the accords concern energy projects, particularly solar and wind power, and emphasized the region's potential to become an energy supplier to the EU rather than merely a transit corridor.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Czech politician Jiri Drahos, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Romanian President Nicusor Dan, Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Austrian politician Christine Schwarz-Fuchs pose for a photo at the first time Carpathian Eight Summit, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ukraine September 18, 2026. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
The Carpathian Eight brings together Romania, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and the European Union as a collective participant. Senior leaders at the opening session included Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic and Romania's President Nicusor Dan. The inaugural meeting is scheduled to continue through Sunday.
Cooperation Priorities
Participants highlighted priorities including the expansion of renewable energy capacity, improved logistics and transport links, cross-border trade facilitation, and strengthened regional security cooperation. Organisers expected close to 550 business representatives to attend the forum, and many of the signed accords focus on infrastructure, renewables and cross-sector partnerships.
"The Carpathians could become an energy supplier for the European Union, not just a transit region," Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram. "Naturally, security issues are a priority right now and for the years ahead."
The initiative is intended to create a durable framework for cooperation at the EU level, accelerate projects that reduce dependency on Russian energy, and bolster regional economic resilience. (Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka; Editing by Daniel Flynn, Toby Chopra and Ron Popeski.) ($1 = 0.8709 euros)
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