Zelenskyy holds inaugural 'Carpathian Eight' regional summit
Zelenskyy said the so-called 'Carpathian macro-region' has become one of the most reliable foundations of Kyiv's defenseImage: Vladyslav Musiienko/AP Photo/picture allianceAdvertisementUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday welcomed the leaders and representatives of Romania, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary to work on deepening cooperation. The European Union was also involved in the talks.
The summit took place in the western Ukrainian ski resort of Bukovel.
It comes amid increasing concern over Russia ramping up hybrid threats including sabotage, cyberattacks, disinformation and potential drone incursions into NATO territory.
The meeting is also happening as overnight Russian strikes in multiple regions of Ukraine sparked fires, causing several deaths and injuries.
Dubbed the "Carpathian Eight,” the summit brought together nations such as Poland and Romania, who have been staunch supporters of Ukraine, along with others such as Hungary, Serbia and Slovakia, who have refused to provide Kyiv with direct military assistance.
Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram that the summit was a "significant beginning" of a movement intended to "further strengthen ties between our countries and create another strong element of cooperation at the EU level.”
The Ukrainian president added that the nations pledged to work together on security, energy, logistics, cross-border economic ties and support for local communities.
"The Carpathian macro-region has become one of the most reliable foundations of our defense. This is about strength that exists and will continue to exist," Zelenskyy added.
Zelenskyy said nearly 550 business representatives were expected to attend the forum and that investment and trade agreements worth €1 billion ($1.15 billion) would be signed.
"It's a good start: energy, logistics, infrastructure and cross-sector agreements," he said in a speech transmitted on Ukrainian TV.
As the summit kicked off, Zelenskyy announced in a Telegram post that Ukraine has secured €3.3 billion from an EU financial support package to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities.
The money included funds for the purchase of missiles and drones.
During the summit, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that his country had joined an anti-ballistic missile coalition with Ukraine and other allies.
"From today, Poland is part of this major project ... we agreed on the forms and frameworks of this cooperation," Tusk said in a video posted on X.
The air-defense coalition was created in July between Ukraine and nine other European countries. It would include the joint development of a new anti-ballistic missile system to serve as an alternative and cheaper solution to the US Patriot system.
Tusk also announced that Poland has prepared a new "significant" aid package for Ukraine, without giving further detail.
"I will be very consistent here. No one will change my opinion that Poland has to support Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression ... History cannot divide us vis-a-vis Russia today," Tusk said.
Zelenskyy thanked Poland for the new aid package.
"Ukraine and Poland are strong neighbors, friends, and partners, and we have one common enemy," he wrote on Telegram.
If you rely on our team for trusted reporting, please take a moment to select us as your Preferred Source on Google, so you'll always see our verified news first.
