Gdańsk recovery conference Funding, reforms, security

Jun 25

TSN and Radio Svoboda's Zoriana Stepanenko report the fifth Ukraine Recovery Conference opening in Gdańsk amid a Ukrainian-Polish historical dispute. The lead recalls Kaczyński's intention to return a decoration. Tusk and Merz invoke reconciliation; Svyrydenko thanks Poland and advocates collective rebuilding. The correspondent anticipates over 150 agreements worth more than €10 billion; the recap gives over 160. Von der Leyen discusses Ukrainian innovation and EU-accession confidence. Merz describes the launched European Flagship Fund, up to €220 million of initial public support, private investment, risk sharing and reforms. Ukraine has received a €3.2 billion first EU-loan tranche, later tranches depend on anti-corruption progress and drone money is forthcoming. Babiš stresses security before rebuilding; Banga estimates $580 billion of needs over a decade and advocates risk protection, energy reforms and privatization despite uncertainty. Zelenskyy did not address the open session; the conference is due to end June 26.

In her June 25 Gdańsk speech, von der Leyen declares the European Flagship Fund for Ukraine's reconstruction ready to go, recalling its announcement at the previous year's Rome conference. She says it is backed by the EU, Poland, France, Germany and Italy and will invest in clean energy, infrastructure and high-growth companies. She projects mobilization of up to €500 million during 2026 and an eventual €1 billion aim, with public capital taking the initial risk to attract private investment. Readiness, intended investments and mobilization targets are announced; those amounts are not established as already invested. In TSN's on-scene account, Merz calls the fund innovative, says €220 million in public funding provides initial momentum and that private-sector investment will depend on conditions in Ukraine, stressing reforms and investor risk reduction. This initial-capital account is retained alongside the distinct mobilization forecasts.