The subject of the summit was to deepen economical cooperation with Kiev, accelerate the reconstruction of Ukraine and support its way to accession to the European Union. The summit was opened by leading politicians including Denys Szmyhal (Prime Minister of Ukraine), Marta Kos (EU Enlargement Commissioner) and Adam Trap (European Union Minister).
During the summit, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Szmyhal announced a fresh strategical initiative to deepen economical and investment ties between the EU and Ukraine, support the reconstruction of the country and accelerate its integration into the EU Single Market. It will focus on 3 priorities: improvement of the business environment, mobilisation of finance and promotion of Ukraine as an attractive place to invest. The European Commission has besides announced a second call for proposals for companies curious in investing in rebuilding Ukraine.
At the summit, the president of the Confederate Leviathan, Maciej Witucki, participated in the panel "The Road of Ukraine to the EU: how accession reforms can stimulate business". In his speech he stressed:
Despite the ongoing war, Ukraine has managed to keep the functioning of the economy and it is crucial to proceed building trust. Ukraine is inactive facing many challenges, but we request the presence of business on the ground – companies that actually operate there and show that it is possible. To Kiev you gotta come, talk to business people and decision makers, it builds affirmative relations and opens fresh perspectives for cooperation. At the same time, business expects a determined fight against corruption and the strengthening of the regulation of law to follow progressive integration into the EU, due to the fact that we know that membership itself does not warrant these values. Only in this way can we build credibility and attract further investors.
The Panel focused on how alignment to EU legislation, anti-corruption measures and economical modernisation open up fresh business opportunities – both in Ukraine and in the EU. Panelists were besides among them. Gert Jan Koopman – Director-General DG ENEST, European Commission, Svitlana Grynchuk – Minister of Environment and Natural Resources of Ukraine, Olha Stefanishyna – Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, and Paweł Kowal – peculiar Envoy of Poland for reconstruction of Ukraine, president of the Sejm's abroad Affairs Committee.
EU-Ukraine Business Summit 2025 has become a place of dialog between decision makers and business representatives and a platform for exchanging experience and creating fresh partnerships. EU-Ukraine Business Summit was co-organised by the European Commission, the Government of Ukraine, the Polish Presidency of the EU Council and Italy, hosting the next year's conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine. More than 700 key stakeholders participated in the event.
