Zelenskyy launches Carpathian Eight at first summit of Carpathian countries — video

“We are launching a new C8 format — the Carpathian Eight — which brings us together with our neighbors in Europe: Romania, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and, of course, the European Union as a whole,” Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy stressed that the initiative is intended to create another strong mechanism for cooperation at the EU level.

“Security, energy, a significant expansion of logistics and cross-border economic cooperation, and substantial support for our communities,” the president said.

Zelenskyy said he was pleased to welcome Romanian President Nicușor Dan, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, as well as representatives of Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary to Ukraine.

On Aug. 3, Zelenskyy announced the launch of the Carpathian Initiative, which will bring together eight countries.

“Why did this idea emerge? Because not all countries are ready to support us with weapons, but they want to work together with us on humanitarian issues, security and the economy. They are thinking about Ukraine’s reconstruction. That is also important,” Zelenskyy explained.

He said that when neighboring countries think about reconstruction, it is also “faith in Ukraine — that everything will be peaceful.”

The summit will begin on Sept. 18 and run through Sept. 20.