Day one of URC2025: how to keep business going during daily attacks

The main positive takeaway from the programme is the unprecedented number of top officials, primarily from EU countries and institutions. This signals not a decrease but rather an increase in Ukraine’s importance, particularly as a security factor for the EU. Europe has awakened, recognising the Russian threat, especially amid the mixed signals coming from the US. After the scheduled meeting, leaders headed to a gathering of the “coalition of the willing”, which, along with positive news from Washington, added optimism about the country’s defence as a prerequisite for recovery.

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Although, in fact, there are fewer financial pledges compared to the €50 billion packages of previous years, the current ones are technically more complex and aimed at supporting recovery and business investment. While the question arises — “what kind of investment is possible with hundreds of Shaheds every night” — a large part of these programmes are precisely tools to reduce risks for creditors and investors, including insurance against war-related risks.

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For the first time, defence was so prominently featured at the URC — both in the exhibition and in the event programme. Alongside energy and critical raw materials, this brings the discussions down to earth, although the URC is still largely perceived as a “project-focused” conference. This year, however, the tone is more businesslike. Hopefully, the results will follow soon.

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Minister of Finance of Ukraine Sergii Marchenko gave an interesting closing remark at the URC2025 financial panel — advising his colleagues to be bolder: “We may not be military, but finance ministers are to be feared.” It was a reminder that not all tools for putting pressure on Russia’s economy have been used. Again, we are hoping for a new wave of sanctions against Russia, including from the US. After all, Russia’s capacity to burn through resources for war is not unlimited.

Source: Ukrainian Pravda