Launch of the Carpathian Eight format

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy opened the inaugural summit of the Carpathian Eight (C8) in the western Ukrainian village of Huta on 18 September 2026. The new regional grouping unites Ukraine with Romania, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, and the European Union as an institutional partner. Zelenskiy opened the proceedings by thanking regional neighbours for maintaining cross-border transport routes and trade connections following Russia's 2022 invasion. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, and Romanian President Nicușor Dan attended in person. Austria was represented by Federal Council President Christine Schwarz-Fuchs, while Czech Senator Jiří Drahoš represented Prague. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico cancelled his scheduled appearance, with Slovakia's deputy foreign minister attending in his place.

Economic and infrastructure ambitions

The inaugural summit in the Ivano-Frankivsk region incorporates a business forum with approximately 550 corporate representatives from all eight member states. Participating delegations plan to sign commercial and investment agreements worth €1 billion ($1.15 billion) covering logistics, energy, and infrastructure sectors. Zelenskiy presented a pipeline of nearly 100 regional projects totaling approximately €40 billion, asserting that the Carpathian basin could achieve economic growth rates twice as fast as the European Union average. He advocated for a formal European Union macro-strategy for the Carpathians to unlock development funding and strengthen cross-border supply chains, pointing out that the mountain range contains some of Europe's largest strategic underground gas storage facilities.

Immediate agreements1

Project pipeline40

Immediate agreements

1 €B

Project pipeline

40 €B

Data from the article text

Bilateral talks and missile defense expansion

In addition to multilateral summit sessions, Zelenskiy held bilateral talks with Donald Tusk regarding ongoing military aid and border infrastructure. During a joint press appearance, both leaders announced that Poland has joined the European anti-ballistic missile coalition. The missile defense initiative was founded in Paris in July 2026 by Ukraine alongside nine European countries: France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. Tusk explained that earlier misunderstandings about Poland's exclusion during the Paris launch have been resolved, noting that Polish industry is now positioned to cooperate on developing and producing integrated air defenses.

“We are in the anti-ballistic coalition.”

Defense technology and summit schedule

Zelenskiy confirmed that Ukraine will share specialized defense and energy technologies developed during the war with Polish industry. Tusk presented details of a fresh Polish aid package for Ukraine, while reaffirming Warsaw's diplomatic backing for Ukrainian accession to the European Union. Both leaders emphasized that maintaining regional cohesion remains essential for ending the war and safeguarding eastern European airspace. The inaugural summit in Huta continues through 20 September 2026, with working sessions focused on finalizing cross-sector investment pacts.

“Naturally, security issues are a priority right now and for the years ahead.”