Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced the creation of the “Carpathian Eight,” or C8, a new regional cooperation format bringing Ukraine together with seven European countries and involving the European Union.
The initiative was unveiled during a summit hosted by Ukraine in the southwestern Ivano-Frankivsk region, bringing together leaders and representatives from countries connected to the Carpathian region. Zelenskyy said the new framework is intended to strengthen cooperation between Ukraine and its European neighbours as the continuing Russia-Ukraine war shapes security and economic priorities across the region.
The eight participating countries are Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary, while the European Union is also participating in the new regional framework.
Zelenskyy said the C8 would concentrate on several practical areas, including regional security, energy, expanded transportation and logistics links, cross-border economic cooperation and support for local communities.
The Carpathian connection provides the geographical basis for the initiative. The Carpathian mountain range extends for approximately 1,500 kilometres across Central and Eastern Europe, stretching in an arc from the Czech Republic toward Romania and connecting several of the countries participating in the new grouping.
The establishment of the C8 comes as Ukraine seeks deeper cooperation with neighbouring European countries during its continuing war with Russia. Security and energy are expected to feature prominently in the group’s discussions, alongside longer-term priorities involving transportation networks, economic development and cross-border connectivity.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk was among the leaders attending the summit in Ukraine. Tusk said his visit was intended to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine and provide an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations with Kyiv.
According to the report, Tusk also discussed Poland’s involvement in a proposed anti-ballistic missile coalition, adding another security component to the talks among regional leaders.
The C8 includes a mixture of European Union members and non-EU participants. Romania, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary are EU members, while Serbia is an EU candidate country and Ukraine is pursuing EU membership. The European Union itself is participating alongside the eight countries.
Zelenskyy said the objective is not limited to diplomatic coordination between national governments. The initiative is also intended to strengthen connections among regions and local communities across the Carpathian area while developing practical cooperation on infrastructure, energy and economic issues.
The Carpathian Eight represents a new regional diplomatic framework rather than a military alliance or supranational organization. Its longer-term structure and mechanisms for cooperation remain to be developed as the participating countries begin working through the new format.
