President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for rapid action to support mountain communities in western Ukraine, including improved infrastructure, investment opportunities and stronger local finances. The issues were discussed at a meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in Ivano-Frankivsk on Aug. 13, attended by representatives of mountain communities in four regions and senior government officials. Zelenskyy said the first “Carpathian Integration Initiative” Economic Summit, scheduled for September, will bring together representatives of the eight countries containing parts of the Carpathian Mountains. More than 500 business representatives are expected to attend, with discussions planned on investment, security, environmental protection, energy and food security. The president also encouraged local communities to participate directly and develop partnerships with municipalities abroad. Community leaders raised concerns about forestry and tourism taxation, flood prevention, road infrastructure, medical transport and access to education in remote areas. They also called for additional business incentives and a comprehensive development program for mountain communities. Zelenskyy instructed the government to assess local budget capacity and conduct a logistics audit to improve access to public services. The meeting also covered the relocation of businesses and industrial production from temporarily occupied territories to the Carpathian region. Zelenskyy highlighted the Tysiachovesna cultural initiative, which supports Ukrainian artistic content and aims to counter Russian propaganda. He said the government should present priority solutions for mountain communities within a month, ahead of the planned summit. Post navigation Euro Digital Negotiations Begin