A conference on Ukraine's recovery kicks off in Gdańsk without Zelenskyy and Navrotsky
A two-day conference on Ukraine’s recovery (Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026) begins on June 25 in Gdańsk, Poland, and is set to become one of the key international platforms for attracting investment and supporting the country’s postwar reconstruction.
At the same time, the event is taking place against the backdrop of strained Ukrainian-Polish relations, which has influenced the political context of the forum.
The URC 2026 is expected to bring together about 5,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, and representatives of international financial institutions and the business community. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko will lead the Ukrainian delegation at the conference.
The event will feature discussions on mechanisms for financing Ukraine’s reconstruction, developing international partnerships, and attracting investment in strategically important sectors of the economy.
Among the key financial decisions that may be announced during the conference is the allocation of the first tranche of a European Union loan as part of a 90-billion-euro package. According to preliminary data, this tranche will amount to 3.2 billion euros.
In addition, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development expects to sign agreements on new investments in Ukraine totaling more than 500 million euros, which will be directed toward supporting critically important sectors.
Organizers report that approximately 1,000 companies will participate in the conference. One-third of them will be Ukrainian enterprises, another third will be Polish businesses, and the remainder will be international companies.
The main goal of the forum is to strengthen international support for Ukraine’s recovery and to stimulate investment activity.
However, recent developments in relations between Ukraine and Poland have significantly altered the political backdrop of the conference. In particular, the question of whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would attend the event remained uncertain for a long time, but his visit was ultimately canceled.
The decision by the President of Ukraine on May 27 is cited as the beginning of a new phase of tension between Kyiv and Warsaw, when, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Special Operations Forces, the Separate Special Operations Forces Center “North” was awarded the honorary title “Named After the Heroes of the UPA.”
Despite the political disputes, the organizers hope that URC 2026 will serve as an important platform for raising funds, developing international partnerships, and supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts amid the ongoing war.
On the eve of the event, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed hope that the international conference on Ukraine’s recovery in Gdańsk would help halt the escalation of tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv.
Navrotsky Responded to Zelenskyy Regarding the Order of the White Eagle
Earlier, Zelenskyy had sent Navrotsky the Order of the White Eagle via Nova Poshta.
Following this, Leonid Kuchma declined the Polish Order of the White Eagle.
Ukraine’s third president, Viktor Yushchenko, also declined the Polish Order of the White Eagle.
Furthermore, Borys Tarasyuk will return the Polish order due to Navrotsky’s policies.
