To Confront Russia.. Zelensky Launches European Initiative to Enhance Trade and Security Cooperation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky launched a new regional gathering yesterday, Friday, comprising eight countries from the Carpathian region in Central and Eastern Europe, during a summit held in Ukraine aimed at enhancing trade and security cooperation.

During the meeting held in western Ukraine, Zelensky thanked the region's allies for keeping trade and transport channels open following the comprehensive Russian war in 2022.

Zelensky stated in a comment via Telegram summarizing the meeting's outcomes that 50 agreements were signed with a total value exceeding one billion euros ($1.15 billion). He did not provide significant details but mentioned that more than half of the agreements pertain to the energy sector, particularly solar and wind energy.

Zelensky wrote: "The Carpathian region can become an energy resource for the European Union, not just a transit area.. this directly supports Europe's goal of energy independence from Russia."

The new gathering includes Romania, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, and the European Union.

The launch of this gathering is expected to continue until Sunday, and it was attended on Friday by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, and Romanian President Nicolae Ciucă.

Zelensky said via Telegram at the beginning of the meeting: "This represents the beginning of a movement that will (create) more convergence between our countries and another strong framework for cooperation at the European Union level," referring to the expansion of cooperation in the fields of energy, logistics, cross-border trade, and security.

Zelensky mentioned in a speech: "Of course, security issues are a priority at the moment and in the coming years."

About 550 representatives from the business sector were expected to attend the forum.

Zelensky said in a speech broadcast by Ukrainian television: "It's a good start: agreements in energy, logistics, infrastructure, and across various sectors."