On 1 September 2025, the State Property Fund of Ukraine has announced the date of the electronic auction for the sale of a state-owned 99.5667% stake in JSC “Odessa Port Plant”. The electronic auction for the sale thereof will be held on 25 November 2025.
About JSC “Odessa Port Plant”
JSC “Odessa Port Plant” (“OPP”) is a state-owned joint-stock company active in chemical industry, a major producer of ammonia and carbamide and a major provider of overloading services for the export of ammonia, carbamide, methanol, and other bulk and liquid goods (e.g., grain, ore).
OPP’s production facilities include:
► 50,000 to 60,000 metric tons Vessel capacity range accommodated by Panamax-class ships at OPP’s dry and liquid bulk berths, supported by comprehensive port infrastructure.
► 2 ammonia production units Each with an annual capacity of 550,000 tons.
► 2 urea production units Each with an annual capacity of 430,000 tons.
► 4 million tons (annual capacity) Ammonia transshipment complex, with a storage facility of up to 120,000 tons.
► 3.6 million tons (annual capacity) Urea overloading complex, with a storage warehouse for 80,000 tons.
► 1 million tons (annual capacity) Methanol transshipment complex, with a storage facility for 36,000 tons.
► 16,000 tons (annual capacity) Department of liquid carbon dioxide production.
► 1,436 employees As of 30 June 2025, this is the total number of staff employed by OPP. For key financial indicators consult the privatization teaser published by the State Property Fund of Ukraine here.
Key terms of the auction
• UAH 4,488,523,000.00 (~USD 109 million) Starting price for the auction.
• UAH 224,426,150.00 (~USD 5.5 million) Guarantee deposit amount, or an equivalent bank guarantee that is irrevocable and compliant with statutory requirements. This deposit is non-refundable if the auction winner fails to execute the protocol, sign the share purchase agreement, or pay the purchase price on time.
• UAH 80,000 (~USD 1,940) Registration fee for participating in the auction.
• English auction with conditions Auction format: incremental bidding with investment and other covenants imposed in the share purchase agreement.
• 19:30–20:30 p.m. on 24 November 2025 Submission window for applications (the day before the auction). If submitting a bank guarantee, the original must be submitted before 18:00 on the same day.
• 2 bidders (minimum) Required for the auction to proceed.
Next steps
Investors interested in participating in the auction would need to, among others:
Select and register with the trusted electronic platform for the participation in the electronic auction (list thereof can be found here).
Sign NDA with the operator of the electronic platform to access the OPP dedicated data-room (free of charge) and draft shares purchase agreement for legal and financial due diligence review.
Conduct legal and other due diligence reviews, submit additional inquiries for information to the operator of the electronic platform (to be processed by the operator together with the State Property Fund of Ukraine), and decide on whether to participate in the auction.
Pay registration fee and guarantee deposit (or provide bank guarantee) to the bank account of the operator of the electronic platform to obtain the status of participant of the auction and apply electronically for the participation in the auction.
Participate in the auction.
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September 2025 – Despite the ongoing war and significant challenges, the Ukrainian legal framework continues to encourage an open and flexible investment environment.
Specifically, it expressly recognizes a wide variety of investment forms and ways to repatriate investments.
Below we summarize the current status of capital control rules as they apply to the key types of investment instruments.
On 21 August 2025, the Parliament of Ukraine adopted a package of draft laws introducing a special legal regime for defence industry enterprises, known as Defence City.
In order to benefit from the tax and customs incentives under this regime, a defence industry enterprise must first obtain Defence City resident status.
These legislative changes are part of a broader governmental strategy to develop Ukraine’s defence-industrial complex, aimed at accelerating the creation and implementation of advanced military technologies, ensuring inflows of private and foreign investment, and strengthening national defence capabilities by systematically equipping the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other security and law enforcement agencies with modern weapons.
Legislative Framework
The Defence City regime has been established through the adoption of two fundamental laws:
Draft Law No.13420 of June 25, 2025, “On Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine and Other Laws of Ukraine Regarding Support for Defence Industry Enterprises”
Draft Law No.13421 of June 25, 2025, “On Amendments to Section XXI ‘Final and Transitional Provisions’ of the Customs Code of Ukraine Regarding Support for Defence Industry Enterprises”
The detailed procedures for the operation of Defence City residents are expected to be further regulated in a new section to be added to the Law of Ukraine “On National Security of Ukraine.”
Key Provisions
1) Establishment of Defence City and Resident Status
The new regime defines the category of Defence City resident and sets out the procedure for obtaining such status, the requirements to be met by residents, and the grounds for refusal or revocation.
To acquire Defence City resident status, a legal entity must submit an application to the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. The application procedure will be determined by a forthcoming resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Status is granted only if the applicant meets the statutory requirements, including:
Income criteria for the preceding calendar year:
at least 75% of total income (general rule)
at least 50% for aircraft manufacturers, as provided by the Law of Ukraine “On the Development of the Aircraft Industry.”
“Qualified income” includes income from the sale of domestically produced defence goods, performance of defence-related works, or provision of defence-related services (development, manufacturing, repair, modernization, disposal)
“Defence goods” encompass weapons, military and special equipment (including unmanned systems, electronic warfare and reconnaissance equipment, and counterintelligence countermeasures), and ammunition
Absence of disqualifying circumstances, including:
registration under the laws of a foreign state
failure to pay income tax or existence of significant tax debt/arrears of social security contributions (exceeding 10 minimum wages)
inclusion in the Register of Non-Profit Institutions and Organizations
violation of legal requirements regarding disclosure of information about ultimate beneficial owners and/or submission of information about the ownership structure of a legal entity, and failure to remedy this violation
association with aggressor states, sanctioned persons, or non-compliant offshore jurisdictions
pending bankruptcy or liquidation
material violations of state defence contracts within the preceding 12 months
registration or operation in temporarily occupied territories
Residents must comply with these requirements throughout their residency. Breaches may lead to revocation of resident status by the Ministry of Defence.
Applications must be reviewed within 10 business days, with decisions rendered to grant or deny status. The form, submission process, and calculation methodology for qualified income will be established by the Cabinet of Ministers.
2) Tax Incentives
Residents of Defence City may apply for a special tax regime under which they are exempt from corporate income tax until 1 January 2036, or until the date of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union (whichever comes first).
Such an application may be submitted only once during the period of validity of this status. An application for exemption from income tax must be submitted by the taxpayer in any form to the controlling authority at the place of registration through the taxpayer’s electronic cabinet.
Exemption applies only if the resident:
maintains Defence City resident status
is not simultaneously a Diia City resident
does not pay dividends (except to state-owned enterprises)
has no violations in transfer pricing or controlled foreign company reporting (Articles 39 and 392 of the Tax Code of Ukraine)
Exempted profits must be reinvested in defence-related activities, such as:
creation or modernisation of production facilities and fixed assets
improvement of production processes and adoption of new technologies
acquisition of intellectual property rights under state defence contracts
R&D and manufacture of new weapons or equipment
acquisition of corporate rights in defence-industrial enterprises
Voluntary waiver of the exemption is permitted only after the year following the first year of its application.
In the event of termination or loss of Defence City resident status, the taxpayer shall determine its corporate income tax liabilities in the ordinary manner for the reporting period in which the relevant application was submitted or the violation occurred. If, as of the date of submission of the application, there remains any portion of unused exempted profit, such portion shall also be subject to calculation and payment of income tax.
Upon the loss of resident status or violation of the applicable requirements, a Defence City resident immediately forfeits the right to the exemption, effective from the first day of the month of the reporting period in which the violation or non-compliance took place. In such cases, the resident is required to submit a revised tax return, calculate the corresponding tax liabilities, and pay both the tax and applicable penalties within 30 calendar days (or no later than the day following the violation). The tax and penalties shall be calculated from the beginning of the reporting period in which the violation or non-compliance occurred. Importantly, the limitation periods set forth in Article 102 of the Tax Code of Ukraine shall not apply in this situation.
Furthermore, residents of Defence City (excluding taxpayers who also simultaneously hold Diia City resident status) are exempt from paying land tax, environmental tax, and real estate tax. This exemption does not require the submission of a separate application, as it applies automatically from the moment of acquiring Defence City resident status.
3) Confidentiality of Information
During martial law, the financial reporting data of Defence City residents shall not be publicly disclosed.
The Cabinet of Ministers must adopt procedures within one month to restrict public access to information in electronic registers concerning Defence City residents.
Amendments to the Law “On Public Electronic Registers” provide that, for the duration of martial law and one year thereafter, general access to such information is restricted. Registers affected include:
Unified State Register of Legal Entities, Individual Entrepreneurs, and Public Organisations
State Register of Rights to Immovable Property
State Land Cadastre
Unified State Register of Enterprises and Organizations of Ukraine
State Register of Industrial Designs
State Register of Trademarks
and other registers specified by the Cabinet of Ministers
In addition, Defence City residents that are legally required to publish annual and consolidated financial statements, along with audit reports, management reports, consolidated management reports, reports on payments to the state, and consolidated reports on such payments, must ensure full publication of all such documents within three months after the termination or cancellation of martial law (state of war). This obligation applies to the entire period during which such reports were not published.
At the same time, if a Defence City resident loses or terminates its resident status earlier, the reports must be published no later than 30 days from the date of such loss or termination.
4) Simplified Export Controls
Defence City residents that develop or manufacture military goods may export such goods without Cabinet-level authorizations normally required under Article 13 of the Law of Ukraine “On State Control of International Transfers of Military Goods and Dual-Use Goods.”
5) Expanded Powers of the Ministry of Defence
The Ministry of Defence is authorised to obtain information from the State Tax Service and State Customs Service regarding compliance of residents. Regulators must also notify the Ministry of any misuse of tax-exempt profits or violations by Defence City residents.
6) Interaction with Diia City
Although current legislation does not expressly prohibit dual residency, simultaneous Defence City and Diia City status prevents the application of preferential tax benefits.
Personal Income Tax (PIT): Diia City’s preferential 5% PIT rate does not apply if the taxpayer also has Defence City status; instead, income is taxed at the general 18% rate.
Single Social Contribution (SSC): Diia City’s reduced SSC benefit (minimum contribution level for employees and gig-contractors) also does not apply in cases of dual residency.
7) Currency Regulation
Draft Law No. 13420 instructs the National Bank of Ukraine to establish, within two months, special rules for currency transactions and currency supervision applicable to Defence City residents. Thus, additional privileges in this area are expected.
8) Customs Procedures
Certain customs procedures are expected to be simplified, including exemptions from document submission requirements and streamlined conformity assessments.
The laws will enter into force one month after publication, provided they are signed by the President of Ukraine.
When “the special operations” began in February 2022, almost all the container lines had stopped their port calls to Odessa and Chornomorsk due to their safety concerns. Then they also suspended their services to and from Russian ports indefinitely, presenting it as a collective stance by the business community against the inhumane actions that cost thousands of lives in Ukraine.
Afterwards of their sugar-coated and publicly praised actions, almost all the major container lines resumed their services to Russian ports through their proxies by newly established shipping companies that nobody had heard of before. Small-to-medium-sized container lines filled the market with different names and shadowed ownership information. Brands did not even bother changing their corporate colours, logo types, and in some examples, emails. Very noble behaviour, indeed.
But my main interest is why those big ones that were waving flags of Ukraine, manifesting their sincere and positive approach to the Ukrainian economy in every interview, after each summit in the past, at the first occasion backed off, despite the reimplementation of nearly all safety regulations to Ukrainian ports? Why do shipping giants still keep delivering to Yemen and Israel? Are they not risk zones?
Major shipping lines continue regular services to ports in the Red Sea region, where Houthi attacks resulted in over 100 incidents affecting commercial vessels in 2023-2024, the Persian Gulf, and various African ports despite ongoing security challenges. Insurance premiums for Red Sea transits increased by 300-500%, yet services continued.
Major maritime insurers have begun offering coverage for Ukrainian port calls at rates only marginally higher than standard Black Sea premiums — a stark contrast to the 300-500% increases seen for Red Sea transits. War risk insurance for Ukrainian ports currently adds approximately $50,000-75,000 per voyage, compared to $200,000-300,000 for certain Middle Eastern routes where major carriers continue to operate over a hundred weekly container ship calls.
The International Maritime Organization and European Maritime Safety Agency have both issued updated guidance confirming that Ukrainian ports meet international safety standards for commercial operations. The European Union’s inclusion of Ukrainian ports in its TEN-T network expansion plans, backed by €7.4 billion in committed infrastructure investment through 2030, signals transformative institutional support for maritime development.
The answer lies not in genuine safety concerns but in the cold calculus of boardroom-level decision-making and profit margins. The major carriers fear potential backlash from shareholders, insurers, and global collaborators more than they value the substantial revenue opportunities that Ukrainian trade represents.
This strategic withdrawal reveals the shipping industry’s true priorities. Ukraine’s pre-2022 container throughput reached approximately 850,000 TEU annually across its major ports. But the Big Three (Maersk, MSC, and CMA CGM) prefer the perceived safety of established trade routes. They’ve effectively abandoned one of Europe’s most strategically important maritime corridors, leaving Ukrainian exporters dependent on costly overland alternatives through Poland, Romania, and the Danube River system, which cost 40-60% more per ton than direct maritime shipping.
Ukrainian port authorities have invested heavily in security infrastructure, implementing NATO-standard safety protocols and maintaining 24/7 coordination with international maritime security agencies. The ports of Chornomorsk and Odesa have demonstrated their operational readiness through successful grain corridor operations, having facilitated over 33 million tons of agricultural exports since the Black Sea Grain Initiative’s implementation. Current port capacity utilization stands at merely 15-20% of pre-2022 levels, despite maintaining 85% of operational infrastructure.
The technical infrastructure remains largely intact, with modern container handling equipment and deep-water berths capable of accommodating vessels up to 200,000 DWT. Ukrainian port workers, renowned for their efficiency and expertise, achieved the impressive pre-war pace of 25-30 container moves per hour, competitive with major European ports. The missing element is not capacity or capability — it’s the willingness to stand up and lead.
This strategic abandonment carries implications far beyond immediate profit calculations. Ukraine’s pre-war trade volume reached $84 billion annually, with maritime transport accounting for approximately 60% of this figure. Ukraine’s integration into European supply chains depends heavily on reliable maritime connections. By maintaining their absence, major carriers effectively impede Ukraine’s economic recovery and its deeper integration into global trade networks.
The transportation industry has historically prided itself on connecting global markets regardless of political challenges. Major shipping lines built their reputations by maintaining services to destinations others deemed too risky. Their current approach to Ukrainian ports represents a departure from this tradition and raises questions about their commitment to free global trade.
While major global carriers hesitate, regional players and smaller lines are quietly positioning themselves to capture Ukraine’s extraordinary maritime potential. Middle Eastern carriers, including those from the UAE and Qatar, have shown increasing interest in Ukrainian routes, with preliminary agreements for 15-20 weekly services once full operations resume. Even some Chinese state-owned enterprises are exploring opportunities through third-party arrangements, understanding that Ukraine’s reconstruction will create decades of unprecedented shipping demand.
This shifting dynamic presents a critical paradox for the Big Three: their conservative approach may preserve short-term stability, but it simultaneously creates space for competitors to establish footholds in what industry analysts project will become a $4-5 billion annual maritime market by 2030. Ukraine’s strategic position connecting European, Asian, and Middle Eastern trade corridors positions its ports to handle an estimated 2.5-3 million TEU annually within the next decade, nearly triple pre-war volumes.
History shows that post-conflict reconstruction phases often reshape entire industries, and shipping is no exception. Companies that enter early typically secure long-term exclusive partnerships, preferential rates, and strategic port allocations that become nearly impossible for latecomers to match.
The time for excuses and proxy arrangements has passed. If major container lines genuinely support Ukrainian recovery, they must demonstrate this commitment through direct action, not public statements. Until then, their Ukrainian port absence remains an indictment of an industry that has chosen comfort over courage when courage was needed most.
For carriers seeking to position themselves in Ukraine’s spectacular post-war economic transformation, the message is crystal clear: you must step forward now, not tomorrow. Ukraine’s maritime sector is poised for unprecedented growth, with government projections indicating port throughput will reach 4.2 million TEU by 2035, five times pre-war levels. The country’s planned deep-water port expansion at Yuzhny alone will add capacity for 1.8 million TEU annually, while Odesa’s planned terminal automation will increase efficiency by 40-50%. Early movers will secure preferential partnerships, prime berth allocations, and lasting business deals that will define the next two decades of Ukrainian trade.
Ukraine’s recovery represents one of Europe’s most magnificent post-conflict reconstruction opportunities, with maritime infrastructure investments alone expected to generate 15,000 direct jobs and contribute €2.1 billion annually to the regional economy by 2032. The country’s strategic position will make it the gateway for an estimated €85 billion in annual trade flows between Europe and Asia within the next decade.
The maritime industry’s leaders must decide whether they want to be architects of this historic revival or mere observers watching others claim the extraordinary rewards of courage and foresight in what will become the Black Sea’s most advanced and profitable port network.
Transport infrastructure was the main topic at the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) hosted by Italy. Nevertheless, this topic was not overlooked. What could the aviation, port, railway, and road sectors stand to gain as a result of the conference?
The Ukrainian Railways joint-stock company (Ukrzaliznytsia) will receive grants totaling EUR 54 million. Poland will invest in roads and railways, as well as in the development of Ukrainian-Polish border crossings. The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) and the Ukrainian Reconstruction Consortium signed a memorandum that provides for the development of Ukrainian ports… Although the transport sector was not the main focus of URC 2025, these announcements were all made during the two-day event.
This year’s conference took place in Rome from 10 to 11 July. It was the latest in a series of international conferences dedicated to Ukraine’s reconstruction, following those in Lugano (2022), London (2023), and Berlin (2024). More than 4,000 people attended this year’s conference, including heads of state and government from over 100 countries, as well as representatives of international organizations.
An important announcement on the creation of the European Flagship Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine was made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. According to von der Leyen, the fund’s initial partners include France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the European Investment Bank. The fund is expected to channel investments into Ukraine’s critical recovery sectors.
The participants in the event discussed the development of the defense sector, Ukrainian technologies and dual-use innovation for global security, the restoration of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, investing in energy resilience, etc. A workshop on “Bridging Europe: Ukraine’s Path to Transport Integration” was also held. Panel discussions during the third session focused on modern infrastructure as a path to recovery.
The Center for Transport Strategies (CFTS) has identified several transport-related decisions and statements made at the Rome conference.
The USPA and the Ukrainian Consortium for Reconstruction signed a partnership memorandum for the restoration and development of Ukraine’s port industry.
The primary benefits of the memorandum include the potential involvement of leading Italian and European companies in the reconstruction of ports, the development of “smart” port systems with automated cargo handling, the integration of Ukrainian ports into the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), support in securing access to financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the World Bank, and various European funds, the development of partnerships with European ports, and the implementation of environmentally sustainable technologies.
The memorandum provides for cooperation in the following areas: adoption of international standards and advanced technologies; implementation of joint infrastructure projects; establishment of partnerships between Ukrainian and Italian ports; financial and technical partnerships; development of innovative, environmentally friendly transportation solutions; promotion of sustainable recovery of the port industry; consultations on improving and harmonizing Ukraine’s maritime legislation with EU, IMO, and UNCTAD standards; and sharing of experience.
The USPA signed cooperation memoranda with Italian port authorities.
During the second day of the conference in Rome, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) announced that it had signed memoranda of cooperation with the Eastern Adriatic Sea Port Authority and the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority.
The former manages the ports of Trieste and Monfalcone. The Port of Trieste is one of the largest cargo ports in Italy and a key element of the TEN-T. It is actively implementing digital solutions and has deep-water infrastructure.
The Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority unites the ports of Genoa, Savona, Pra’, and Vado Ligure.
The memoranda provide for the development of long-term partnerships, the sharing of best practices, support for the digital transformation of Ukrainian ports, and the strengthening of Ukrainian ports’ integration into the European logistics network.
“These memorandums open up new opportunities for digitization and the implementation of modern logistics solutions, as well as the adaptation of ports to new challenges. This is another step towards integration into the European logistics space — through concrete cooperation, training, and investment,” said Oleksandr Semirha, head of the USPA.
The Ukrainian State Air Traffic Services Enterprise (UkSATSE) signed a memorandum of cooperation with two Italian technology partners: the aerospace equipment manufacturer Leonardo S.p.A. and the air navigation service provider ENAV S.p.A.
This document is an important step in the joint effort to restore and modernize Ukraine’s air traffic control system as part of the Ukraine Air Traffic Management Restoration and Recovery Plan (UARRP).
According to Andrii Yarmak, the head of UkSATSE, two additional agreements were signed alongside the memorandum. These agreements provide for the donation of five en-route primary radar systems and associated equipment to UkSATSE. The systems are expected to play a significant role in restoring Ukraine’s surveillance capabilities and enabling a phased reopening of its airspace for civil operations.
Poland will invest in roads, railways, and the development of border crossings with Ukraine.
Viktor Dovhan, a former Ukrainian deputy minister of infrastructure, announced this on the sidelines of the conference. This was reflected in the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between Poland’s Industrial Development Agency (ARP) and Ukraine’s State Agency for Reconstruction and Development of Infrastructure. The document provides for joint efforts to identify and implement various projects, including infrastructure projects.
“The signing of this agreement represents an important step towards practical cooperation between Poland and Ukraine,” said Wojciech Balczun, president of the ARP. “Operating within the framework of the Polish Development Fund Group, the ARP has the experience and tools to support Polish entrepreneurs in participating in reconstruction projects. We want Polish companies to become genuine partners in rebuilding Ukraine’s infrastructure, industry, and energy sector. This is an opportunity for Ukraine’s recovery and for strengthening Poland’s economic position in the region.”
In comments to the CFTS, Dovhan, who currently advises the Polish construction giant Budimex, explained that these national agencies reached this agreement because the Poles want to speed up the implementation of reconstruction projects. To avoid the establishment of contacts between individual firms, they decided to establish a working group to submit ready-made projects to the governments of both countries within three months for financing approval.
Funding is expected to be provided through the Ukraine Facility mechanism, using loans from the Polish national development bank, BGK.
“The Poles are candid about their interest in making profits. That is why the emphasis is on practical implementation — they will not consider raw projects. The goal is to begin implementing one or two projects before the next recovery conference, which will take place in Warsaw next year. We definitely have time to hold a tender for one road and one railway project,” said Dovhan. He added that Polish companies are interested in highways in western Ukraine, the Mostyska-Sknyliv European-gauge railway, and border crossings between Poland and Ukraine.
The former deputy minister of infrastructure also noted that while Polish firms will understandably participate in BGK-funded tenders, Ukrainian subcontractors will most likely carry out at least 50% of the work because the Polish side is unlikely to be willing to send personnel and equipment to Ukraine due to security concerns. As a result, Dovhan believes that both sides will definitely benefit because Ukraine will gain new infrastructure and access to concessional financing.
Other statements related to the transport sector in one way or another were also made at the Rome conference. One such statement was the announcement of a new bilateral agreement on cooperation with Switzerland regarding reconstruction efforts. The Swiss government considers the reconstruction of Ukraine as a strategic priority and plans to allocate CHF 5 billion (EUR 4.8 billion) for it by 2036. The agreement provides for the provision of non-refundable financial and technical assistance to purchase goods and services from Swiss companies in various sectors, including transportation and mobility.
Ukraine and the Netherlands also signed a memorandum on the provision of additional financing (EUR 30 million) under the Ukraine Partnership Facility program. This memorandum is expected to enable Dutch companies to participate more actively in Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts in areas in which they have experience, such as water supply, healthcare, agriculture, and renewable energy. The memorandum also provides for the development of ports, among other things.
In total, the number of agreements signed during the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome is estimated to be in the hundreds. “Over 200 different agreements worth more than EUR 10 billion, a new European support package worth more than EUR 2 billion, a Finnish reconstruction-focused program worth more than EUR 300 million, a Dutch package worth EUR 30 million…” President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said, summing up the first day of the conference.
Now, all that remains is to hope that all these commitments will quickly materialize from memoranda into tangible projects on the ground.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliya Svyrydenko held a meeting with a Romanian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Liviu-Ionut Moștianu.
During the meeting, the parties discussed key areas of cooperation between Ukraine and Romania:
Defense and Security: Ukraine highly values Romania’s assistance, including prospects for joint production of drones and weaponry.
Reconstruction: Romanian partners expressed interest in projects in transport and energy sectors, development of border infrastructure, and financing of small and medium-sized businesses.
EU Fund Experience: Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation to attract European funding.
Border Management: Modernization of existing and opening of new checkpoints was discussed in coordination with Moldova.
An important topic was Ukraine’s European integration.
Prime Minister Svyrydenko emphasized:
“Ukraine is technically ready to open the first three negotiation clusters and counts on Romania’s support to ensure Ukraine and Moldova advance together on this path.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a law introducing a number of tools to simplify the operation of the public-private partnership (PPP) mechanism.
This was reported by Ukrinform, citing the bill’s card on the parliament’s website.
The document provides for attracting private investment to accelerate the restoration of infrastructure and the construction of new facilities.
The purpose of the law is to simplify the procedure for preparing and implementing PPP projects. In particular, it proposes the introduction of an “infrastructure installment payment” mechanism, simplifies project preparation (without feasibility studies and efficiency analyses), and allows the implementation of small projects worth up to €5.3 million.
The law also introduces an electronic tendering system, standard qualification requirements for investors, and expands the powers of local authorities.
As reported by Ukrinform, on June 19, the Verkhovna Rada adopted in the second reading and as a whole the law (bill No. 7508), which introduces a number of tools to simplify the operation of the public-private partnership mechanism.
Yuliia Svyrydenko, the Minister of Economy of Ukraine, in an interview with RBK-Ukraine (jointly with other members of the negotiating team that worked on the agreement), explained how the Investment Fund would work in the framework of the Minerals Agreement between Ukraine and the US.
She notes that over the next 10 years, the Fund will invest in Ukraine in projects related to critical materials, oil, gas, as well as infrastructure (ports and terminals).
In Washington, Yuliia Svyrydenko signed just one agreement on the creation of the Fund. It is to be ratified on Thursday, May 8. The remaining agreements will be commercial in nature and will no longer be signed by the government. On the Ukrainian part, the signatory is the Agency for the Support of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), on the US part, the signatory is the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
The document provides profit distribution only after 10 years; until that moment, there will be only investments and only in Ukraine. At the moment of signing, shares in the Fund in Ukraine and the United States are the same: 50/50. Further, there is an opportunity to make additional contributions.
On April 30, Ukraine and the United States signed an agreement on economic cooperation, which provides for the creation of the Investment Fund. To launch it, it will be necessary to sign two more documents, the drafts of which are still being prepared. Just on May 8, the text of the agreement is expected to be ratified by the Supreme Council of Ukraine.
Previously, USM reported that in the framework of the old agreement on minerals, Donald Trump wanted full control over Ukrainian ports.
Poland has launched a program worth 250 million zlotys to support business projects of its companies in Ukraine. The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine reports that Poland has allocated 250 million PLN (ca. 58.25 million EUR) for preferential loans for companies that will be involved in projects on the restoration of Ukraine. The program started on April 22, 2025.
The maximum amount of one loan makes up 10 million PLN (2.33 million EUR), the interest rate is 2% and the repayment period is 12 years. Three partner companies of the Polish Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego have started accepting applications.
The loans can be used for investments, working capital, export and import development, as well as cooperation between Polish and Ukrainian enterprises.
The program “Credit for Participation in Reconstruction of Ukraine” provides that preferential loans will be used for transportation, logistics, storage of goods and construction materials, development of infrastructure, including roads, railways, energy, water supply, public and housing construction.
In addition, financing is provided for drafting feasibility studies, research and investment projects, as well as activities of medical companies, including manufacturing products such as prostheses and dressings intended for Ukraine.
Terms of preferential loans include the import of services and products from the counterparties from Ukraine and providing goods and services to companies engaged in the reconstruction of the Ukrainian economy, directly supporting their activities.
In addition, loans can be used to purchase real estate in Poland for the construction of warehouses, factories, or plants, if any, related to investment purposes. Some industries have additional preferences.
In early March 2025, the European Commission and EIB signed guarantees for 2 billion EUR for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
At the same time, Ukraine and France agreed on 19 reconstruction projects for 200 million EUR.
In early April, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that in 2025, the total financing gap for Ukraine’s reconstruction needs would be almost 10 billion USD.
The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority reports that the Ukraine-EU business summit discussed the restoration of Ukraine through the prism of European reindustrialization.
At the panel discussion dedicated to the port industry development, USPA Chairman Oleksandr Semyrga presented a vision for restoration and modernization of Ukrainian port infrastructure both in wartime and in the long-term perspective.
He focused on the development of the Danube ports as strategic multimodal hubs, as well as the need to restore the damaged infrastructure of the Greater Odesa ports.
Oleksandr Semyrga emphasized, “Today, it is important to build up sustainable partnerships and to strengthen cooperation with the international community. Jointly with the restoration of infrastructure, we are creating a foundation for a modern, competitive, and innovative port system of Ukraine”.
In particular, the USPA confirmed its readiness to implement investment projects in the framework of public-private partnerships, concession mechanisms, and with the support of international financial organizations.
Special attention was drawn to integration of Ukrainian ports into the TEN-T network aimed to strengthen transport sustainability of Europe.
It should be noted that at the seminar “Investments in Ukrainian Ports: Strengthening the Role as Intermodal Hubs” the delegates presented a list of specific initiatives with a high degree of preparation that can be implemented in the short-term prospect.
