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Formation of the Carpathian Eight alliance

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2026-09-22 20:02 UTC → 2026-09-22 20:02 UTC · added ~~removed~~

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy launched the ‘Carpathian Eight’ (C8), a regional geopolitical and economic alliance designed to deepen integration among Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia, Czechia, Austria, and Hungary. During the inaugural summit in western Ukraine, organizers presented a regional portfolio of 34 projects valued at approximately 115 billion euros, focusing on security, energy, logistics, and cross-border economic cooperation. Following the summit, Hungary officially rejected participation in the C8. Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar clarified in Parliament that while the country was invited, it declined to join. Magyar criticized the inclusion of Hungary in the group without prior consultation, comparing the situation to a neighbor forming a football team and claiming a local resident is a member without asking. He emphasized that a sovereign nation cannot be part of international cooperation without explicit ~~consent.~~ consent, describing the inclusion as “completely unacceptable.” This decision has escalated into a diplomatic dispute. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the stance as ‘unnecessarily confrontational’ and accused the Hungarian government of continuing isolationist and obstructionist policies, suggesting they remain reminiscent of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Sybiha also noted that the rejection casts doubt on pragmatic business cooperation between Ukrainian and Hungarian energy companies, specifically regarding a memorandum between Naftohaz and MOL. While Hungary's ambassador attended the initial summit, the country did not sign the final declaration. The Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted it is ‘closely monitoring’ the development of the C8. The initiative continues with members including Ukraine, Austria, Romania, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, and Czechia, while Hungary remains outside the formal group.

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