Ukraine regional cooperation and peace proposals

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has introduced the ‘Carpathian Initiative’, a proposed regional cooperation framework involving Ukraine and seven other nations: Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Austria, and Serbia. The initiative is intended to coordinate economic, security, logistical, and humanitarian interests, as well as support the future reconstruction of Ukraine.

Alongside this regional proposal, Zelenskyy has outlined a peace plan to end the conflict. The plan reportedly includes a ceasefire at the front lines, the mutual withdrawal of Russian and Ukrainian troops, and the establishment of a buffer zone managed by a third country. While Zelenskyy indicated that Kyiv is developing this plan with European representatives and envoys from President Trump, the United States has not confirmed its involvement.

Regarding the Carpathian Initiative, while Zelenskyy has named the participating states, Slovak officials have noted that participation is not yet finalized and requires further deliberation.

Recent developments show Ukraine is advancing the Carpathian Integration Initiative (KII) to strengthen economic, political, and infrastructural ties, including projects such as a hydrogen corridor and new transport routes. This expansion has prompted questions in Warsaw regarding whether the KII might compete with the existing Three Seas Initiative.

Simultaneously, Kyiv is negotiating with Warsaw to expand the use of Polish transit routes for grain exports to third countries. However, the Polish Ministry of Agriculture has expressed caution due to the 2023 grain crisis. Deputy Minister Jacek Czerniak noted that the priority must remain the export of Polish farmers’ goods, warning that intensive Ukrainian transit could cause delays for domestic products.