Ukraine is focusing on its domestic arms industry and its own production

• The risk of continued fighting in Ukraine only applies to the eastern part of the country. In the rest of the country, life is relatively normal (interrupted by Russian bombing), so one can afford economic activity there.
• One of the most important economic sectors of Ukraine is the arms industry. It is worth considering investing in this area, because most companies in this industry have been privatized for a long time.
• Ukraine is not a failed state, as the Russians suggest. International agreements signed by Ukrainian authorities prove that no one shares the opinions coming from Moscow.

During the 17th European Economic Congress, a panel entitled "Ukraine: War and Reconstruction" was held.

During this event, Wojciech Balczun, president of the Industrial Development Agency, spoke about Poland's role in rebuilding Ukraine . In the past, he was the head of the railway in Ukraine, so he got to know the country very well.

As he emphasized, the risk of war is primarily in the east of the country. In the rest of the territory, life is relatively normal, although there are many internal refugees - those who did not go to the West, but moved within the borders of the homeland. They are already slowly growing into new places of life, even building houses. This is an opportunity for many construction companies. At the same time, many foreign missions come to the country.

- In the center of Kiev, two entire floors of one of the hotels were occupied by Americans. The remaining eight were occupied by Europeans - said Balczun. - The agency that I run is an important element of promoting Polish business in Ukraine. We are in a group with BGK, PAIH, KUKE. A political umbrella is also being created over our activities.

As the ARP president pointed out, the challenges are enormous . Ukrainian Railways wants to replace the rails, among other things. This will cost tens of millions of euros. The remaining infrastructure also requires investment - ports, roads.

One of the elements of European integration is to be the liberalization of rail transport.

- In Kiev, they realize that this means the need to restructure the entire railway system, including passenger transport. The latter will not be easy, because in Ukraine, rail passenger transport is treated not as a business, but as a social benefit. Without looking at the economic result - emphasized Balczun.

Ukraine's integration into the EU will help rebuild the country devastated by war

Volodymyr Kuzyo, CFO of Lviv Bank, and previously Deputy Minister of Finance of Ukraine, among others, stressed that even during Russian aggression it is possible to develop the economy on European legal principles . According to him, Ukraine's integration with the European Union is inevitable and a foregone conclusion.

- Agriculture is an important and traditional segment of the Ukrainian economy. However, the most important one seems to be the arms industry at the moment. This sector requires the latest products, including lithium batteries. We will produce them because we have the raw material for their production. We also invite foreign investors. We even offer partial financial assistance from the Ukrainian Facility program. We have collected over 9 billion euros in this fund - said Volodymyr Kuzyo.

This fund is intended to help Ukraine maintain its financial stability, rebuild its economy and modernize the country. The aim of this package is to support Ukraine in implementing key reforms on the way to EU accession, as well as in the transition to a green, digital and inclusive economy, gradually adapting to EU regulations and standards. Special aid funds (to promote their business in Ukraine) are being created by France and Japan. Ukrainian banks are also ready to cooperate.

- At the same time, it is important to understand that we are not only interested in simple international trade, but also in investment in production . Of course, the risk of war still exists. That is why it is very important to create business insurance systems. Germany is creating such a reinsurance fund. The Polish KUKE is also involved in this. And the finale will of course be our membership in the EU, where we will become one of the larger markets - he added.

Ukraine is not a failed state

Jacek Piechota, president of the Polish-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that Ukraine should not be treated as a "failed state". This is evidenced by the fact that the country has signed trade agreements with various countries. This approach of the Europeans proves that Ukraine will certainly not become - according to Piechota - the 51st state of the USA . It will be the 28th member of the European Union.

- I see great progress by the Ukrainian authorities in the fight against corruption. The interest of Polish business in this country is evidenced by the successive economic missions organized by us. In addition to smaller companies, representatives of Orlen and the Polish Armaments Group also participated in them. However, the image of Ukraine must be constantly improved, because some of our media and political forces have started criticizing any connections with Ukraine. I see the influence of propaganda, even hybrid warfare on the part of Russia - said Jacek Piechota.

He also mentioned that Ukraine - thanks to the destruction of heavy industry - will be able to decisively reshape this sector into a fully modern and, above all, economically efficient one.

- It's a kind of irony. Poland is also much more innovative in many places than Germany or the USA . They still use checks and faxes, which we have long forgotten about. Of course, the problem of Ukrainian finances is the trade deficit they have with Poland - it is already over 8 billion euros. However, when the war is stopped (on any terms), the Ukrainian arms sector will probably be one of the most active in exports to Poland - said the president of the Polish-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce.

Houses or roads – where to start rebuilding?

Kira Rudik, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament, chairwoman of the Voice party and vice-chairwoman of the pan-European ALDE party, assures that no one in Ukraine is considering capitulating to Russian demands.

- The main question for us now is whether the European Union will replace the US in helping us. Because we still live in conditions of Russian aggression. No other country in the world desires peace more than Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Russian "dagger" struck 300 meters from my house, killing more people. Many people are still losing their homes. We don't know when this war will end - the politician emphasized.

- Only after its completion will full integration with the European Union be possible. I do not believe that Russia would want to allow this. Poland is the closest to us, which means we are condemned to partnership . We are very grateful for the help we have received and continue to receive from Poles and Poland. This will affect our contacts in the future. However, we must remember the interests of each country - said Kira Rudek.

Daniel Szeligowski, coordinator of the Eastern Europe program at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, recalled that Russia's goal remains to make Ukraine a vassal state. This is very dangerous for the whole of Europe, which is why Trump's strange behavior is causing such concern.

- One may get the impression that Donald Trump has no plan to end Russian aggression against Ukraine . Even American demands for a ceasefire were not supported by any actual pressure on Russia. And Putin would like to have Trump's sympathy without giving anything in return. The impression is therefore irresistible that the end of hostilities will not mean the end of the conflict, because Russia does not see the existence of an independent Ukraine - emphasized Daniel Szeligowski.

In his opinion, a completely new Ukraine will emerge from this conflict – a destroyed state, but with great development prospects.

- It doesn't matter where the fighting stops. We have many economic opportunities in this country. After all, all freight transit, regardless of the war, will go through Poland anyway. Therefore, we need to expand border crossings. By participating in the reconstruction of Ukraine, we need to build our political influence there - he said.

Kamil Wyszkowski, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Poland, recalled tragic stories related to Russian aggression. These include the criminal deportations of Ukrainian children to Russia.

- The International Criminal Court has brought an indictment against Putin, among others. Meanwhile, the UN itself seems to be afraid to unequivocally condemn Russia for attacking a neighboring country. We are concerned about the position of the USA. This is a symptom of the crisis in international relations. Now we need to take care of the Ukrainian infrastructure. Roads, bridges, railways. This is also a way to connect Ukraine with the Western world. Because the entire Western world should understand that Ukraine joining our structures is beneficial in every respect - emphasized Kamil Wyszkowski.

Andriy Deshchytsia, former Ukrainian ambassador to Poland, recalled that Ukraine is interested in a trade agreement with the US, but this cannot mean colonization.

- We also cannot agree with American suggestions to de jure (Latin by operation of law - editorial note) recognize Crimea as part of Russia - says Deszczyca. - However, the US position is also changing. Only no one knows what the administration in Washington will ultimately consider as the right condition for ending our war.

As Deszczyca said, in terms of the reconstruction of his country itself, at the beginning we have to start rebuilding what people have lost. As for infrastructure, first of all we have to deal with the reconstruction of energy networks. The energy bridge with Poland is an example of cooperation. This line is functioning with great success.