Ukraine and Poland agree on priority steps for preparing for URC-2026 and strengthening bilateral cooperation

On January 22, Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, Oleksii Sobolev, together with Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Taras Kachka, met with Minister of Finance and Economy of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Domański, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The parties discussed ways to strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

"The Ukrainian Government is grateful to Poland for its willingness to host URC-2026. Preparations for the conference have already begun; in particular, we have formed organizational teams at both the governmental and operational levels. We also congratulate Poland on joining the Ukrainian Donor Platform, which will further strengthen our cooperation," said Oleksii Sobolev.

In turn, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Taras Kachka noted: "Ukraine highly values its strategic partnership with the Republic of Poland and its willingness to play an important role in the process of rebuilding our state. We are grateful to the Polish side for its decision to host the Ukraine Recovery Conference in 2026, which is an important signal of trust and long-term vision for cooperation. We are committed to close coordination with our Polish partners to develop a practical, results-oriented agenda. I am convinced that joint work, in particular in preparation for the URC, will deepen our cooperation."

He separately noted the importance of close coordination with Poland to harmonize approaches to the reconstruction of Ukraine and its further integration into the EU internal market.

The parties agreed to set up a joint working group and appoint an operational coordinator to prepare for the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC-2026), which is due to take place in Poland no earlier than June. The parties also discussed the concept of the future URC, which will tentatively cover five main topics: business, human capital, local reforms, EU reforms, and security and defense.
Oleksii Sobolev expressed interest in further financial cooperation, in particular regarding the use of a PLN 1 billion (approximately EUR 230 million) loan from Poland for “Green Reconstruction” and “Modernization of Border Infrastructure” to facilitate trade.

Andrzej Domański noted that the Polish government is interested in investing in reconstruction projects in Ukraine. In particular, the parties considered the possibility of joint management or technical consulting with the Polish Industrial Development Agency (ARP SA) for at least three industrial parks in Western and Central Ukraine.

The Ukrainian side proposed the creation of a joint venture fund between ARP SA and Ukraine Investment Framework (2nd component of Ukraine Facility) to provide equity financing for Polish-Ukrainian manufacturing joint ventures.

Oleksii Sobolev expressed his hope that Poland would support the allocation of an interest-free reparations loan to Ukraine with a 30-year repayment term in the Council of Europe.

The Ukrainian and Polish sides addressed cooperation with the Polish bank BGK (Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego) on risk reduction and support for SMEs, in particular the expansion of the Global Sustainability Finance Facility (GSFF). Technical assistance in transforming Ukraine's Business Development Fund (BDF) into a fully functional National Development Institute was also discussed. The Ukrainian side proposed the creation of a Credit Guarantee Fund specifically for Polish investors entering the Ukrainian market.