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Is it too early to talk about Ukraine’s recovery while a full-scale war is still underway? What can be done right now, without waiting for the war to end? How can the state secure funding and attract private investment?On June 29, the Kyiv Security Forum will host a special discussion titled “Ukraine’s Recovery: Talk or Action?”, focusing on the outcomes of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026, which took place on June 25–26 in Gdańsk.Discussion participants:<ul><li>Arseniy YATSENYUK, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum, Prime Minister of Ukraine in 2014–2016;</li><li>Danylo LUBKIVSKY, Member of the Kyiv Security Forum Security Council, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2014;</li><li>Katarina MATERNOVA, Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine;</li><li>Anka FELDHUSEN, Business Ombudsman of Ukraine, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Ukraine (2019–2023);</li><li>Natalia SHAPOVAL, Head of the KSE Institute, Vice President for Political Research at the Kyiv School of Economics.</li></ul>Participants will also discuss the economic challenges Ukraine will face in 2026–2027, including issues related to budget financing, external support, the human capital deficit, and attracting private investment.The topics include:<ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>whether the conference in Gdańsk was a step toward Ukraine’s recovery;</li><li>how to secure state funding in 2027;</li><li>what is currently the biggest obstacle for private investors;</li><li>whether Ukraine is ready for large-scale investments;</li><li>how to overcome the human capital shortage and increase economic productivity;</li><li>and whether it is possible, during the war, not only to rebuild what has been destroyed but also to build a new, competitive economy.</li></ul>The discussion will take place as part of the Kyiv Security Forum’s new project, Deep Strike – a series of expert conversations on current events and key trends in Ukraine’s security, economy, and foreign policy. The project aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the most critical challenges shaping the country’s future.The discussion will be recorded on June 29 and published the following day on the YouTube channels – <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://youtube.com/@OpenUkraine">Open Ukraine</a> (in Ukrainian) and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://youtube.com/@KyivSecurityForum">Kyiv Security Forum</a> (in English).The Kyiv Security Forum (KSF), founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation, is Ukraine’s leading international discussion platform on issues of war and peace. Prominent international leaders, politicians, diplomats, experts, activists, and journalists participate in KSF events. The platform operates on several levels simultaneously: keeping Ukraine in the spotlight of the global agenda; expanding our country’s circle of international partners; and building expertise on pressing security issues.

Is it too early to talk about Ukraine’s recovery while a full-scale war is still underway? What can be done right now, without waiting for the war to end? How can the state secure funding and attract private investment? On June 29, the Kyiv Security Forum will host a special discussion titled “Ukraine’s Recovery: Talk or Action?”, focusing on the outcomes of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026, which took place on June 25–26 in Gdańsk.

“Ukraine’s Recovery: Talk or Action?”: The Kyiv Security Forum Will Host a Special Event Following the URC 2026

<div class="raw-html-embed"><iframe width="100%" height="560" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JOARzTjB2J0?si=uX4RjhGlZfo3S6Va" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>A strike on Russian targets more than a thousand kilometres from the border sends a military, psychological and economic message to Putin, his inner circle and the Russian people. This was emphasised by the Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOARzTjB2J0">on the BBC,</a> when answering a question about the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ strikes on Russian oil infrastructure and a Russian warship in Kronstadt, where one of the bases of the Russian Baltic Fleet is located.‘First, this is a clear military signal that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are capable of striking various Russian targets, particularly those located far from the Ukrainian-Russian border. That is about 1,000 kilometres,’ Yatsenyuk noted.He also highlighted the psychological dimension. “Russians who support the war criminal Putin, and those who support the war against Ukraine, must realise: the war has spilled over onto their territory. And they must feel the burden and impact of this war for themselves,” he emphasised.The Chairman of the KSF also touched upon the economic aspect. He recalled that Ukraine had imposed “far-reaching sanctions” on Russian oil facilities. “This deprives Russia of huge oil revenues. But, on the other hand, due to the US and Israel’s war with Iran, the Russians have received an unexpected profit of around 60 billion a year, linked to the rapid rise in oil prices,” he noted.Yatsenyuk concluded: the strikes send a clear signal to Putin, his entourage and the Russian people – Ukraine will never surrender. “Russia’s war against Ukraine is not going according to Putin’s plan. Ukrainians are fighting fiercely,” emphasised the KSF Chairman.

A strike on Russian targets more than a thousand kilometres from the border sends a military, psychological and economic message to Putin, his inner circle and the Russian people. This was emphasised by the Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, on the BBC, when answering a question about the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ strikes on Russian oil infrastructure and a Russian warship in Kronstadt, where one of the bases of the Russian Baltic Fleet is located.

Russians must realise that the war has spread to their territory, – Yatsenyuk

<div class="raw-html-embed"><iframe width="110%" height="560" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l3Ro1E4EJsw?si=gPKxCWGOqSW9r3o8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>The G7 summit, which took place this week, demonstrated the unity of the world’s leading democracies – this is not at all what Putin and Xi had expected. This was stated by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, during a new event format of the Kyiv Security Forum—“<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAAcfvueSUE">Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike</a>.”“Many expected a rift among the world’s leading democracies. But they remain united and share a common position,” he noted.“I see no signs that Putin is truly ready for any substantive negotiations. Putin’s signal was quite clear: he is ready to receive President Zelenskyy in Moscow, which means he is ready to discuss Ukraine’s surrender. He continues to play the same primitive game he has been playing for at least four years,” Yatsenyuk said.<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_05_00_1_d721e1da37.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2026-06-18 at 11.05.00 (1).jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_05_00_1_d721e1da37.jpeg 245w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_05_00_1_d721e1da37.jpeg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_05_00_1_d721e1da37.jpeg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_05_00_1_d721e1da37.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>At the same time, he emphasized that after the G7 summit, everything will depend on tangible actions, and he acknowledged Europe’s support. “Europe has provided Ukraine with a large-scale aid package worth 90 billion euros, of which 60 billion is being allocated to support programs and arms supplies; it is imposing new sanctions against the aggressor; and it has been able to offset the reduction in U.S. aid,” the former prime minister noted.Whether this can change Putin’s calculations will depend on a number of factors, Yatsenyuk added. He also drew attention to the shift in focus by the U.S. administration. “The Ukrainian matter is once again taking center stage in the U.S. political establishment. More than 70% of American voters continue to support Ukraine, and this directly benefits Ukraine and the entire free world.”<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_2_66db95fd60.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2026-06-18 at 11.45.45 (2).jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_2_66db95fd60.jpeg 208w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_2_66db95fd60.jpeg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_2_66db95fd60.jpeg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_2_66db95fd60.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>The Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum expressed hope that the U.S. administration would take more decisive action in supporting Ukraine – “not only through statements and political declarations, but also through tangible decisions and practical assistance, which Ukraine needs today.”The discussion took place in a new format of the Kyiv Security Forum, “Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike,” with the participation of the KSF Chairman, Arseniy Yatsenyuk (Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016); KSF Security Council member Danylo Lubkivsky (Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2014); German Ambassador to Ukraine Heiko Thoms; and French Ambassador to Ukraine Gaël Veyssière.

The G7 summit, which took place this week, demonstrated the unity of the world’s leading democracies – this is not at all what Putin and Xi had expected. This was stated by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, during a new event format of the Kyiv Security Forum—“Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike.”

“Many expected a rift among the world’s leading democracies. But they remain united and share a common position,” he noted.

Yatsenyuk: The G7 summit dashed Putin and Xi’s hopes of a rift among democracies

<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_d7a373b58f.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2026-06-18 at 11.45.45.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_d7a373b58f.jpeg 208w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_d7a373b58f.jpeg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_d7a373b58f.jpeg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_d7a373b58f.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>Almost all military aid to Ukraine currently comes from the EU and other European countries—about 99% of the total. This was emphasized by German Ambassador to Ukraine Heiko Thoms during a discussion at the Kyiv Security Forum’s new event format, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Ro1E4EJsw">“Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike.”</a>“We either provide Ukraine with financial assistance so that your Armed Forces can become stronger, or we supply European defense equipment. And in those areas where we lack the necessary capabilities, we procure them for you,” he noted.Thoms stressed that Europe is significantly ramping up its own defense efforts; Germany alone, for instance, is tripling its defense budget between 2022 and 2030.“The European Union may sometimes seem a bit slow, but what we have already achieved to date is truly impressive. For 2026-2027 alone, we have approved 60 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine. We have defense industry programs, the European Defense Fund, the SAFE defense loan program, and the European Peace Fund – a powerful tool for strengthening European defense and providing assistance to others,” the ambassador added.Apart from that, the diplomat commented on Russia’s strike on the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. “Just a few days before the attack, I visited Lavra during a tour and was in the very spot that was later hit. It is absolutely clear to me that this was a targeted strike. It was a deliberate attack on Ukrainian identity, sovereignty, and independence,” Thoms stated.He emphasized that Ukraine currently holds a technological advantage on the battlefield. “Ukraine is very successfully holding the front line, while also achieving significant successes in what we call strikes against the enemy’s rear facilities. Russian logistics routes are coming under increasingly effective strikes,” the ambassador emphasized.The discussion took place in a new format of the Kyiv Security Forum, “Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike,” with the participation of Kyiv Security Forum Chairman Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who served as Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016; Kyiv Security Forum Security Council member Danylo Lubkivsky, who served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2014; German Ambassador to Ukraine Heiko Thoms; and French Ambassador to Ukraine Gaël Veyssière.

Almost all military aid to Ukraine currently comes from the EU and other European countries—about 99% of the total. This was emphasized by German Ambassador to Ukraine Heiko Thoms during a discussion at the Kyiv Security Forum’s new event format, “Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike.”

German Ambassador: 99% of military aid to Ukraine is currently coming from Europe

<img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_1_408d784abd.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2026-06-18 at 11.45.45 (1).jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_1_408d784abd.jpeg 208w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_1_408d784abd.jpeg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_1_408d784abd.jpeg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_18_at_11_45_45_1_408d784abd.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px">Europe must take responsibility for its own security as decisively as possible, as the American presence on the continent is not set to increase. This was stated by Gaël Veyssière, the French Ambassador to Ukraine, during a discussion at the Kyiv Security Forum’s new format event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Ro1E4EJsw">‘Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike’.</a>“The current trend is that the American presence in Europe – to put it diplomatically – will not increase, and that we must take the situation into our own hands as decisively as possible, both at national level and within the EU and NATO. Our American friends are telling us that we must do more, and, to be frank, they are right,” he noted.Veyssière emphasised that defence has become one of the EU’s key priorities. “I remember how, ten years ago, the issue of defence was not discussed at all, whereas now it is one of the EU’s key areas of activity. We have managed to set up excellent programmes – EDIP, SAFE – with substantial financial resources, aimed both at enabling EU Member States to increase their military and defence capabilities and at bringing direct benefits to Ukraine. And I believe we should continue to move in this direction,” the ambassador emphasised.The diplomat also spoke highly of the outcomes of the G7 summit. “The crisis in the Middle East has now been resolved. It is now time to refocus our attention on another extremely important matter – Ukraine. This summit took place at just the right moment and has indeed yielded tangible results,” Veyssière noted.The discussion took place in a new format of the Kyiv Security Forum, ‘Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike’, with the participation of the Kyiv Security Forum’s Chair, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who served as Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016; Kyiv Security Forum Security Council member Danylo Lubkivsky, who served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2014; the German Ambassador to Ukraine, Heiko Thoms; and the French Ambassador to Ukraine, Gaël Veyssière.

Europe must take responsibility for its own security as decisively as possible, as the American presence on the continent is not set to increase. This was stated by Gaël Veyssière, the French Ambassador to Ukraine, during a discussion at the Kyiv Security Forum’s new format event, ‘Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike’.

French Ambassador: The U.S. presence in Europe will not grow – it's time to seize the initiative

<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/0x0_599458fe5a.jpg" alt="0x0.jpg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_0x0_599458fe5a.jpg 245w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_0x0_599458fe5a.jpg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_0x0_599458fe5a.jpg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_0x0_599458fe5a.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>Russia has the greatest stake in the tensions between Poland and Ukraine, as a deepening of the conflict could jeopardise Ukraine’s EU membership, the business climate and Polish-Ukrainian relations. This was stated by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine in 2014–2016, in response to questions from journalists during a special KSF event dedicated to the outcomes of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 (URC), which took place in Gdańsk.Speaking about the outcomes of the URC 2026, Yatsenyuk emphasised that the overall “outlook” of the conference was unequivocally positive. “The key point is the European Union’s decision to allocate 90 billion euros to Ukraine. These are very clear commitments. The first thing we ‘brought back’ from the conference is a portion of those 90 billion; the second is additional resources from the World Bank, the EBRD and other financial institutions,” he noted.At the same time, the KSF Chairman cautioned against harbouring illusions about the predicted “investment boom”. “It will only come about once the war is over. If it weren’t for European – and previously American – funds, we would have nothing with which to pay salaries. Half of Ukraine’s state budget consists of donor or loan funds,” added Yatsenyuk.Responding to a question about what practical steps Ukraine and Poland should take to resolve the conflict that arose on the eve of the URC, Yatsenyuk emphasised that there would be no quick solution, and drew attention to the domestic political context in Poland. “Look at the figures: after Polish President Karol Nawrocki took the absurd decision to strip the Ukrainian president of an order that he himself had not awarded, his approval rating rose by 6 per cent,” noted the former prime minister.According to him, the conflict has two components that complicate the situation. “I have taken part in many reconciliation dialogues. The situation is only escalating rapidly, but a resolution will not come quickly. There are two components here: domestic politics, primarily in Poland, and foreign policy – after all, the European Union will side more closely with Poland than with Ukraine, for the simple reason that Poland is an EU member. That said, the EU will not indulge the radical views of even a member state,” emphasised the KSF Chairman.He also warned that continued hostility could hit areas of key importance to Ukraine. “If this hatred spreads within Ukrainian and Polish societies – which is precisely what the radicals are striving for – it will affect the business climate, our bilateral relations, and Ukraine’s membership of the European Union. The Poles may apply the formula put forward by Jarosław Kaczyński [leader of the Polish opposition party ‘Law and Justice’] – that Ukraine’s EU membership must be blocked,” he noted.The KSF Chairman emphasised that Russia has an interest in the rift between Kyiv and Warsaw. ‘This is very slippery ground. The primary interest in seeing us slip up on this ground lies with one capital and one man: Moscow and that monster Putin,’ Yatsenyuk concluded.

Russia has the greatest stake in the tensions between Poland and Ukraine, as a deepening of the conflict could jeopardise Ukraine’s EU membership, the business climate and Polish-Ukrainian relations. This was stated by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine in 2014–2016, in response to questions from journalists during a special KSF event dedicated to the outcomes of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 (URC), which took place in Gdańsk.

Yatsenyuk: Tensions between Poland and Ukraine only benefit Moscow

<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/DSC_02085_8a06fde819.JPG" alt="DSC02085.JPG" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_DSC_02085_8a06fde819.JPG 234w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_DSC_02085_8a06fde819.JPG 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_DSC_02085_8a06fde819.JPG 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_DSC_02085_8a06fde819.JPG 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>Through effective military operations and the development of its own capabilities, Ukraine is dismantling the narratives imposed by the aggressor. This was stated by Katarina Maternová, the European Union’s Ambassador to Ukraine, during a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2MITGIdPKc">special discussion</a> of the Kyiv Security Forum entitled ‘Ukraine’s Recovery: Talk or Action?’, dedicated to the outcomes of URC 2026.“We are now, for the first time, witnessing a moment when the collective West and Ukraine are gaining the upper hand in the cognitive war with Russia. The Russians have been using the narrative of their victory and its inevitability, and this has been very difficult to counter. But Ukrainian ingenuity, the development of its own capabilities, the use of drones in combat operations and their production have convinced the whole world that Russia is not winning,” she noted.The diplomat added: “The narrative that Russia was supposedly bound to win has been shattered. This should not be underestimated, as psychology plays a very significant role.”Katarina Maternová also emphasised that, following the recent EU elections, a more favourable situation has emerged for the Ukrainian government. “At present, we have a truly unique convergence of favourable circumstances, reflected in the achievement of consensus, as everything we do for Ukraine is based on consensus,” she added.Speaking about Ukrainian-Polish relations, the diplomat expressed her hope that “common sense will prevail”. “The EU is a union of 27 states. And we can only move at the pace set by the least decisive of these 27 states. Any bilateral issues with any member state have the potential to stall the entire process. I very, very much hope that common sense will prevail. I very much hope that in our relations with Poland we are at a stage of de-escalation, not escalation. Because history is a very complex issue. There are times when historical claims can be resolved. But there are even more complex issues, and I believe it would be difficult to resolve them at present,” Katarina Maternová concluded.The discussion also brought together the Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Prime Minister of Ukraine in 2014–2016; a member of the Kyiv Security Forum’s Security Council, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (2014) Danylo Lubkivsky; Anka Feldhusen, Ukraine’s Business Ombudsman and Germany’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine (2019–2023); and Nataliia Shapoval, Head of the KSE Institute and Vice-President for Political Research at the Kyiv School of Economics. The discussion took place as part of the new project ‘Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike’ – a series of expert discussions on pressing issues and key trends in the fields of security, the economy and Ukraine’s foreign policy. The project aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the most significant challenges shaping the country’s future.The Kyiv Security Forum (KSF) is an annual international event launched in 2007 on the initiative of the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation.

Through effective military operations and the development of its own capabilities, Ukraine is dismantling the narratives imposed by the aggressor. This was stated by Katarina Maternová, the European Union’s Ambassador to Ukraine, during a special discussion of the Kyiv Security Forum entitled ‘Ukraine’s Recovery: Talk or Action?’, dedicated to the outcomes of URC 2026.

Maternova: Ukraine has shattered the narrative of Russia’s inevitable victory

<div class="raw-html-embed"><iframe width="100%" height="560" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c2MITGIdPKc?si=hQ-VylVfq7SyBd4H" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Ukraine should work to improve its competitiveness and strive for a stable economy and legal framework. This was stated by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine in 2014–2016, during a special KSF discussion entitled ‘Ukraine’s Recovery: Talk or Action?’, dedicated to the outcomes of URC 2026.“Everything depends on our competitiveness. Therefore, we cannot simply sit idly by and wait for an economic miracle – that will not happen. We must work tirelessly. The Ukrainian economy is underpinned by agriculture, energy, metallurgy and metalworking, as well as the service sector. There are also new industry sectors. Those newly emerging sectors in Ukraine – some of which have undoubtedly already become part of the Ukrainian economy – include the defence industry and military technologies, as well as large-scale construction. But the most important thing at this stage is to maintain fiscal stability in Ukraine,” he said.Arseniy Yatsenyuk specifically emphasised the need for “a very stable economy and a very stable legal framework”. “We need to avoid populism. We need to collect taxes. We need to ensure customs revenue. We need to fight corruption. We need public procurement to be as transparent as possible,” he noted. According to the KSF Chairman, these are the essential prerequisites for any current and future investments.<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/1500x0_76_2cecadcce3.jpg" alt="1500x0 (76).jpg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_1500x0_76_2cecadcce3.jpg 234w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_1500x0_76_2cecadcce3.jpg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_1500x0_76_2cecadcce3.jpg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_1500x0_76_2cecadcce3.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>“I am very optimistic. The more we do, the better the results will be… We cannot afford to wait. We need to lay the foundations for Ukraine’s future economy. But let me emphasise once again – everything depends on the outcome of the war,” concluded Arseniy Yatsenyuk.The discussion also brought together Katarina Maternová, the European Union’s Ambassador to Ukraine; Anka Feldhusen, Ukraine’s Business Ombudsman and Germany’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine (2019–2023); Nataliia Shapoval, Head of the KSE Institute and Vice-President for Political Research at the Kyiv School of Economics; Danylo Lubkivsky, Member of the KSF Security Council and former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2014.The discussion took place as part of the new ‘Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike’ project – a series of expert discussions on pressing issues and key trends in the fields of security, the economy and Ukraine’s foreign policy. The project aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the most significant challenges shaping the country’s future.The Kyiv Security Forum (KSF) is an annual international event launched in 2007 on the initiative of the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation.

Ukraine should work to improve its competitiveness and strive for a stable economy and legal framework. This was stated by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chair of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine in 2014–2016, during a special KSF discussion entitled ‘Ukraine’s Recovery: Talk or Action?’, dedicated to the outcomes of URC 2026.

We must lay the foundations for Ukraine’s future economy, – Yatsenyuk

<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/DSC_01985_05f754e508.JPG" alt="DSC01985.JPG" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_DSC_01985_05f754e508.JPG 234w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_DSC_01985_05f754e508.JPG 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_DSC_01985_05f754e508.JPG 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_DSC_01985_05f754e508.JPG 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>No one is interested in restoring the Ukrainian economy to the state it was in before the full-scale Russian aggression. We are talking about rebuilding a qualitatively new economy.Anka Feldhusen, Ukraine’s Business Ombudsman and Germany’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine in 2019–2023, made these remarks during a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2MITGIdPKc">special discussion</a> of the Kyiv Security Forum entitled ‘Ukraine’s Recovery: Talk or Action?’, dedicated to the outcomes of URC 2026.“I think that this phrase – ‘to rebuild better than it was’ – is truly on everyone’s mind. I do not think that Ukraine or anyone else wants to restore the Ukrainian economy to the way it was before. I believe that the Ukrainian economy after the war will be radically different from what it was,” she noted.Anka Feldhusen agreed with the assertion that investment can only be discussed once a lasting peace has been achieved, but emphasised the importance of preliminary work.“We need to look at what we can already do, and I agree with Arseniy Yatsenyuk: only the end of the war will pave the way for a genuine influx of investors, but we can already lay the groundwork for this. And reconstruction based on the principle of ‘better than before’ must take place on a daily basis by creating the right conditions for investors – both technical and legal,” she said.In the diplomat’s view, business needs a level playing field and predictability. “And only changes to the judicial system and law enforcement agencies can ensure this. We can work on this right now; Ukraine is already working on it,” emphasised the Business Ombudsman.Anka Feldhusen also highlighted Ukraine’s significant progress in the development of renewable energy sources. “The energy sector and renewable energy sources have taken a huge step forward in recent years. I left Ukraine in 2023, having completed my term as Ambassador after the first harsh winter. But since then, Ukraine has lived through every subsequent winter, and renewable energy sources have become a much more important component in overcoming the shortfall,” she said.The discussion also brought together the Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Prime Minister of Ukraine in 2014–2016; Danylo Lubkivsky, a member of the Kyiv Security Forum’s Security Council and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2014; Katarina Maternová, the European Union’s Ambassador to Ukraine; and Nataliia Shapoval, Head of the KSE Institute and Vice-President for Political Research at the Kyiv School of Economics. The discussion took place as part of the new project ‘Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike’ – a series of expert discussions on pressing issues and key trends in the fields of security, the economy and Ukraine’s foreign policy. The project aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the most significant challenges shaping the country’s future.The Kyiv Security Forum (KSF) is an annual international event launched in 2007 on the initiative of the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation.

No one is interested in restoring the Ukrainian economy to the state it was in before the full-scale Russian aggression. We are talking about rebuilding a qualitatively new economy. Anka Feldhusen, Ukraine’s Business Ombudsman and Germany’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine in 2019–2023, made these remarks during a special discussion of the Kyiv Security Forum entitled ‘Ukraine’s Recovery: Talk or Action?’, dedicated to the outcomes of URC 2026.

The Ukrainian economy after the war will be radically different from what it was before - Anka Feldhusen

<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Whats_App_Image_2026_06_30_at_11_14_37_6005553eea.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2026-06-30 at 11.14.37.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_30_at_11_14_37_6005553eea.jpeg 235w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_30_at_11_14_37_6005553eea.jpeg 500w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_30_at_11_14_37_6005553eea.jpeg 750w,https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Whats_App_Image_2026_06_30_at_11_14_37_6005553eea.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure>Joining forces in the field of dual-use technologies is of strategic importance for both Ukraine and its European partners.Natalia Shapoval, Head of the KSE Institute and Vice-President for Political Research at the Kyiv School of Economics, made this point during a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2MITGIdPKc">special discussion </a>of the Kyiv Security Forum entitled ‘Ukraine’s Recovery: Talk or Action?’, dedicated to the outcomes of URC 2026.“During the Conference, the launch of six programmes under the Ukraine Investment Framework was announced. In effect, these are European Union guarantees specifically aimed at supporting projects in the field of dual-use technologies. And it is precisely in this sector that the return on investment is higher than in US pension funds. Therefore, it makes sense to proceed without risk insurance. And this is precisely where it is strategically important for Ukraine – and, in my view, for Europe too – to join forces,” she noted.Natalia Shapoval emphasised that this is one of the sectors already attracting investment. “There are already 156 joint ventures between Western and Ukrainian companies that are already implementing projects in the field of dual-use technologies or defence projects,” said the KSE Institute head.According to her, particular attention was paid to the energy sector at URC 2026. “There are quite a few projects there that are not investments in the strict sense. Several agreements in the field of green energy were announced. They are being implemented using complex European instruments: war risk insurance, political risk insurance and export credit facilities. These are combined mechanisms, but all of this is already happening now and is a continuation of the processes initiated last year,” she emphasised.Natalia Shapoval specifically emphasised that Ukraine is fully aware of all the challenges and risks facing its economy. “We are not ignoring the problems Ukraine faces regarding the business climate or those created for us by Russia. But, despite all this, we see a very strong momentum,” she concluded.The discussion also brought together the Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Prime Minister of Ukraine in 2014–2016; Danylo Lubkivsky, a member of the Kyiv Security Forum’s Security Council and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2014; Katarina Maternová, the European Union’s Ambassador to Ukraine; and Anka Feldhusen, Ukraine’s Business Ombudsman and Germany’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine (2019–2023). The discussion took place as part of the new ‘Kyiv Security Forum: Deep Strike’ project – a series of expert discussions on pressing issues and key trends in the fields of security, the economy and Ukraine’s foreign policy. The project aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the most significant challenges shaping the country’s future.The Kyiv Security Forum (KSF) is an annual international event launched in 2007 on the initiative of the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation.

Joining forces in the field of dual-use technologies is of strategic importance for both Ukraine and its European partners.

Natalia Shapoval, Head of the KSE Institute and Vice-President for Political Research at the Kyiv School of Economics, made this point during a special discussion of the Kyiv Security Forum entitled ‘Ukraine’s Recovery: Talk or Action?’, dedicated to the outcomes of URC 2026.