Zelenskyy announces new format for cooperation with neighbours: the Carpathian Eight

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced the establishment of a new cooperation format, the Carpathian Eight, bringing together Ukraine and seven European countries, as well as the EU as a bloc.

Zelenskyy said on X that the first summit bringing together all the "Carpathian" states is taking place in Ukraine's Carpathian Mountains on 18 September.

Today, for the first time, here in Ukraine, in our part of the Carpathians, we hold a Summit that brings together all the Carpathian states, the regions and communities of our countries. We are launching a new format – “C8,” the Carpathian Eight – bringing together us and our… pic.twitter.com/tcIupMsBBK

– Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 18, 2026

"We are launching a new format – 'C8', the Carpathian Eight – bringing together us and our neighbours in Europe: Romania, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia, Czechia, Austria, Hungary, and, of course, the European Union as a whole."

Zelenskyy said this regional cooperation format is meant to bring these countries closer together and create another element of engagement at EU level, covering security issues, energy, logistics and cross-border economic cooperation.

It was reported earlier that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić arrived in Ukraine on a visit.

Poland will be represented by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Romania has officially announced a visit by its president, Nicușor Dan.