This week, the delegation of the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs is in Brussels participating in the EU–Ukraine Business Summit 2026 — one of the key platforms for dialogue between Ukrainian business, European institutions, and international partners.
Key topics of the event
This year’s summit brought together more than 1,000 participants — policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors — around the mobilization of investment for Ukraine’s recovery. Key topics included European integration, economic development, support for energy resilience, defence and dual-use technologies, and engaging the private sector in reconstruction.
Particular attention was given to practical business support instruments, including the European Commission’s Ukraine Investment Framework, as well as access to finance, war risk insurance, and the integration of Ukrainian companies into European value chains.
Discussion with government representatives and partners
A key part of the summit was the panel “Supporting SME Development in Ukraine: business environment reforms, trade liberalization, and investment support instruments” moderated by SUP Executive Director Kateryna Glazkova. The discussion brought together representatives of European institutions, government, the financial sector, and business.
Panel participants included:
- Outi Slotboom, Director for Supply Chains and Business Analysis, European Commission (DG GROW)
- Maryna Khlystun, Executive Director of UkraineInvest
- Nataliia Butkova-Vitvitska, Member of the Management Board, Oschadbank
- Volodymyr Mudryi, Chairman of the Management Board, OTP Bank Ukraine
- Roksolana Vakulenko, CEO of VIP-TOYS LLC
- Anka Feldhusen, Business Ombudsman of Ukraine
- Véronique Willems, Secretary General of SMEunited
Key messages of the discussion emphasized that without systemic reforms, access to finance, and effective derisking instruments, economic recovery is not possible. At the same time, SMEs remain the backbone of Ukraine’s economic resilience, demonstrating adaptability, scalability, and the ability to integrate into the European market even under wartime conditions.
Sectoral engagement
Separately, Serhii Leivikov, Head of the SUP Energy Efficiency Committee, joined a dedicated workshop on translating gap analysis into concrete business opportunities in priority recovery sectors and building EU–Ukraine partnerships.
Bilateral meetings and international cooperation
A productive meeting was held with the European Economic and Social Committee Employers’ Group, with the participation of Group of Employers President Sandra Parthie.
The discussion focused on the role of Ukrainian business in the country’s recovery, the importance of further integration into the European economic space, and strengthening cooperation between business communities in Ukraine and the EU. Both sides agreed to continue active engagement and work jointly on practical initiatives to support business.
On the sidelines of the summit, the SUP team held a number of additional bilateral meetings with partners and continues to work on expanding international cooperation.
Next — URC 2026
Ahead lies the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 in Gdańsk, expected to shift the focus from strategic discussions to concrete projects, financial instruments, and partnerships that will define the pace of economic recovery, infrastructure modernization, and Ukraine’s integration into the EU single market.