IVANO-FRANKIVSK REGION — September 18, 2026. Ukraine hosted the first meeting of a new regional cooperation format known as the Carpathian Eight, or C8.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the initiative is intended to deepen cooperation among countries of the Carpathian region in security, energy, logistics, cross-border economic cooperation and support for local communities.
A new regional format
According to the Office of the President of Ukraine, the September 18 summit marked the launch of C8 as a framework connecting Ukraine with neighboring European countries in the Carpathian macro-region.
Zelenskyy highlighted transport links, energy infrastructure, defense cooperation and economic development among the priorities for the new format.
European cooperation
The Ukrainian president said the initiative could also strengthen coordination among participating countries at the European Union level.
Because C8 is a newly launched format, its permanent institutional structure and specific long-term projects will depend on future agreements among participating governments.