“Europe’s support to Kyiv is unwavering”, emphasised Federal Chancellor Merz upon the opening of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 (UCR) in Gdańsk, Poland. Military and civilian support for Ukraine remains fundamentally important. “Security. Investment. Reforms. People. These are the building blocks for Ukraine’s recovery”, said the Federal Chancellor. Together with its partners, he said, Germany is prepared to provide concrete support to Ukraine in all four of these areas.

“Ukraine is in a new position of strength”, said Merz. The Chancellor sent a clear message to Russia: Russia will not win this war. Germany and its partners are prepared to increase the pressure on the already struggling Russian economy. “The time has come to enter into negotiations, freeze the front line and put an end to the killing”, the Federal Chancellor urged.

Reconstruction of Ukraine: The losses and damage caused by Russia’s war of aggression are immense and cannot be dealt with by public funds alone. The focus of URC 2026 is on continuing international support for Ukraine and mobilising private investment for reconstruction. Public and private sector organisations must work closely together in this area. Alongside Federal Chancellor Merz, Development Minister Alabali Radovan also attended the conference. She, too, called for international investment in Ukraine’s reconstruction.

The most important points in brief:

• Security: According to the Chancellor, the ongoing supply of air defence systems is helping to defend Ukrainian cities and infrastructure against Russian attacks. Strengthening Ukraine’s security means strengthening Europe’s security, the Chancellor said.
• Investments: The European Flagship Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine has set up a financial package worth up to 220 million euros. It is intended to help mobilise substantial private investment in strategic sectors of the Ukrainian economy. “Public funding alone will never be enough to rebuild a country that has suffered such massive destruction”, Merz explained in his speech.
• Reforms: “Confidence depends on strong institutions”, Merz emphasised, referring to the reforms launched in Ukraine to combat corruption and strengthen the rule of law. He said that these were important for maintaining the trust of citizens, international partners and investors.
• People: The international Skills Alliance for Ukraine, launched in 2024 on the initiative of Germany and Ukraine, has now allocated 1.2 billion euros to vocational training initiatives – an investment in the people who will shape Ukraine’s future.

Read the transcript of the speech here: