On 18 September, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy convened leaders and representatives from seven countries to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation. This gathering occurred alongside a series of Russian strikes across multiple regions, which have resulted in significant destruction and loss of life. The inaugural summit of the “Carpathian Eight” brought together representatives from Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary, with the European Union also playing a substantial role.
This summit is particularly relevant in light of the stagnation of US-mediated efforts to resolve Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion, which has persisted for over four years. Key issues, including territorial concessions in eastern Ukraine, remain major points of contention. Ukraine is actively seeking security guarantees from its partners as part of any potential agreements.
Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post that the summit marks a “significant beginning” of a collaborative effort to strengthen ties among participating nations and foster enhanced cooperation at the EU level. The discussion topics included security, energy, logistics, cross-border economic links, and support for local communities.
The meeting took place in Bukovel, a ski resort located in western Ukraine, amid rising concerns among numerous European countries regarding an increase in hybrid threats from Russia. These threats include sabotage, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and the potential for drone incursions into NATO territory.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk cautioned that Moscow may be planning hybrid strikes involving drones or rockets against European nations that support Kyiv, including Poland. Recent allegations from officials in Poland, Germany, and Denmark have implicated Russia in drone incursions, acts of sabotage, and espionage activities targeting defence facilities.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the EU needs a mechanism akin to NATO to respond effectively to hybrid attacks attributed to Russia. Additionally, the EU needs to build consensus on how to respond to incidents that, while not amounting to armed aggression, pose a clear threat to national security.
In response to the United Kingdom’s ongoing supply of drones and weaponry to Ukraine, Russia’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the British Chargé d’Affaires to protest this escalation formally.
The ministry expressed concerns about what it termed the UK’s confrontational posture, saying it aims to prolong and intensify the conflict. Russia also said it reserves the right to take necessary countermeasures in self-defence and identified British military facilities used in strikes against Russian territory as legitimate targets.
In a subsequent conversation with President von der Leyen, President Zelenskyy said Ukraine has secured a tranche of €3.3 billion from an EU financial support package to bolster Ukraine’s defence capabilities, specifically for the acquisition of missiles and drones. This funding is particularly critical as Ukraine faces a projected budget deficit of approximately $27 billion this year.
Looking ahead, Zelenskyy said preparations are underway for a meeting with von der Leyen at the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Ukraine’s financial stability will be a focal topic.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
