Ukraine will seek to secure more than €1.5bn in reconstruction agreements at this week's Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2026) in the Polish city of Gdańsk, with railways, ports, energy infrastructure and private investment expected to dominate the agenda as Kyiv looks to strengthen the economy against continued Russian attacks, reported Ukraine Business News.

The conference, scheduled for June 25-26, comes at a pivotal moment for Ukraine. More than four years after the war began, the country's transport and energy infrastructure remain frequent targets of missile and drone strikes, while reconstruction financing is increasingly shifting from emergency assistance towards long-term investment and private-sector development.

Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said Ukraine would prioritise support for its railway and maritime infrastructure, describing both sectors as essential to maintaining exports and sustaining economic resilience during the war.

Among Kyiv's immediate objectives is securing more than €20mn in funding for the state railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia, which has become one of the country's most strategically important institutions since the invasion began.

Ukraine's railway network has carried millions of passengers, transported military and humanitarian cargo and provided the backbone for exports after Russia disrupted Black Sea shipping routes. It has also become one of Moscow's most frequently targeted pieces of infrastructure.

According to Ukrzaliznytsia, Russian forces carried out 541 attacks on railway infrastructure and rolling stock during the first quarter of 2026 alone, creating a continuing need for investment in repairs, protection and modernisation.

Beyond transport, Ukraine expects to sign agreements, memorandums and other cooperation documents worth more than €1.5bn during the conference.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is expected to play a leading role. The bank plans to sign investment agreements exceeding €500mn, focusing primarily on strengthening Ukraine's energy system, which has suffered repeated Russian missile and drone attacks over the past several years.

Among the projects expected to receive EBRD backing are a 189-megawatt wind farm being developed by Concern Galnaftogaz, part of OKKO Group, and a separate 120-megawatt wind project by Germany's Notus Energy.

The EBRD also plans to provide €270mn to seven Ukrainian banks, with the aim of expanding business lending and mobilising additional private investment as Ukraine attempts to shift reconstruction financing away from reliance solely on public funds and international grants.

The emphasis on private capital reflects a broader evolution in Ukraine's recovery strategy. International financial institutions increasingly view commercial investment as essential to rebuilding the economy, particularly in sectors such as energy, logistics and manufacturing, where private financing can complement donor assistance.

However, the conference also opens against the backdrop of renewed political friction between Kyiv and Warsaw,. Neither Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy nor Polish President Karol Nawrocki is expected to attend the conference, eliminating what could have been an important bilateral meeting. Ukraine's delegation will instead be led by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

Zelenskiy's absence comes after diplomatic tensions intensified over the renaming of a Ukrainian Special Operations Forces unit in honour of figures associated with the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a move that provoked criticism in Poland and renewed debate over historical memory between the neighbouring countries.

The controversy prompted calls from some Polish politicians to revoke a state honour previously awarded to Zelenskiy, while Nawrocki had already indicated that he would not attend the conference.

Polish officials have also said the Ukrainian side declined a separate meeting between the two presidents. Zelenskiy, however, said before the conference that he had proposed talks with Nawrocki and criticised political arguments in Poland suggesting Ukraine's future EU membership could harm Polish farmers.

Despite the diplomatic tensions, both governments continue to cooperate closely on security, logistics and economic issues. Poland remains one of Ukraine's principal military and humanitarian partners and serves as a critical gateway for Western assistance entering the country.