This session aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the European Union's support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing Russian invasion and Ukraine’s path towards EU membership. It serves as a critical stocktaking exercise to evaluate the impact of the EU's assistance so far, notably its efforts to boost business and investment. The focus will then shift to a forward-looking part of the discussion, namely on the upcoming initiatives under the Ukraine Facility and its investment instruments designed to bolster Ukraine's resilience, reconstruction, economic recovery, and long-term modernisation.

• How has the European Union's support for Ukraine's recovery influenced the country's business landscape, particularly in terms of investment mobilisation and economic revitalisation?
• What specific measures have been taken under the Ukraine Facility to enhance Ukraine's resilience and modernisation, and how do these initiatives align with the country's long-term development goals and aspirations for EU membership?
• In light of the ongoing conflict and challenges faced by Ukraine, what role do businesses, both domestic and international, play in contributing to the country's recovery efforts, and how can they be further supported by the EU?

The financial sector has a critical role to play in providing the financial means within the broader context of Ukraine's reconstruction: financial institutions have a crucial role to play driving economic recovery. Currently, Ukraine's banking sector is focused on achieving stability and modernisation, with EU-based and Ukrainian companies gearing up for collaborative efforts. The envisioned path forward entails closer integration with the EU financial markets, increased investment, and thereby contributing to of s economic integration. Given the volatile nature of war-affected zones, comprehensive and robust investment insurance policies are imperative. These measures act as a safety net, providing reassurance to stakeholders and investors, political and war risk insurance, fostering stability amid the turbulent environment, and supporting the much-needed economic resurgence in Ukraine.

• How can financial institutions from the European Union contribute to stabilising and advancing Ukraine's banking sector and financial markets, and what measures are required to facilitate this collaboration?
• How can fortifying investment protection strategies ensure sustained economic growth amidst the challenges of Ukraine's reconstruction?
• What strategies and incentives can be implemented to attract European private funds into Ukraine's industry, ensuring a resilient and sustainable financial ecosystem for the country's reconstruction?

The objective of this session is to assess the challenges and opportunities for Ukraine to further integrate with the EU Single Market, and talk about the networks and tools set up by the Commission to support Ukrainian businesses to internationalise, innovate and establish contacts with EU companies. Another topic to be raised in the panel is cultivation of favourable and stable business environment in Ukraine and how the EU support can contribute to improve it. 

The energy sector in Ukraine has faced significant challenges due to targeted Russian attacks, leading to a decline in electricity demand and generation. To ensure energy security, independence, and a stronger economic relationship with the European Union, it is crucial to focus on developing renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, and biomass. The EU energy landscape has been affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, amplifying calls for an accelerated energy transition and increased grid capacity for new renewable energy projects. 

• What specific strategies can Ukraine implement to accelerate the development of renewable energy resources like wind, solar, and biomass, while also ensuring the sustainability and affordability of these sources?
• How can renewable energy meet Ukraine’s future energy needs?
• Given the need to attract foreign investments and expertise in the renewable energy sector, how can Ukraine leverage its potential as a significant player in the European energy market and enhance cooperation with the European Union to foster innovation and technology?

Russia’s war of aggression has led to substantial harm to the country's infrastructure, impacting public infrastructure as well as residential and commercial properties. The active involvement of privately owned companies is indispensable for the achievement in the reconstruction process. The key focus should centre on the reconstruction of infrastructure, housing, construction industry and the development of industrial parks and new city projects, improving crucial services for the population, and fostering the integration of Ukraine’s economy with the European Union market, all while seeking ways to enhance operational efficiency within the reconstruction sectors:

• What role can European private enterprises play in this reconstruction effort, and how can they collaborate effectively with their Ukrainian counterparts?
• Can the reconstruction efforts improve the quality of basic services for the Ukrainian population, particularly in the war-affected areas?
• Russia’s war of aggression has led to substantial harm to the country's infrstructure, impacting public infrastructure as well as residential and commercial properties. The active involvement of privately owned companies is indispensable for the achievement in the reconstruction process. The key focus should centre on the reconstruction of infrastructure, housing, construction industry and the development of industrial parks and new city projects, improving crucial services for the population, and fostering the integration of Ukraine’s economy with the European Union market, all while seeking ways to enhance operational efficiency within the reconstruction sectors:

The EU is Ukraine's largest trading partner, accounting for 55.2% of its trade in goods in 2022. To bolster the Ukrainian economy in times of war, the EU granted Ukrainian exports full tariff-free access to the EU market in June 2022 via the EU Autonomous Trade Measures (ATM) for Ukraine. The discussion around the third renewal of the ATMs have brought to light some political challenges of increasing Ukraine’s access to the EU’s agricultural markets. On a separate track, the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) as part of the Association Agreement provides for further integration of Ukraine into the EU’s single market in specific areas. The February 2023 Priority Action Plan intends to bring Ukraine closer to the EU single market in areas such as telecommunications and roaming, technical regulations for industrial products and public procurement. Ukraine and the European Union have also announced their intention to relaunch consultations for further reciprocal trade liberalisation under the Association Agreement.

• What impacts has the full liberalisation of trade under the Autonomous Trade Measures had on Ukraine´s economy? What lessons can be learned from the backlash from some farmers in the European Union?
• Which considerations should shape the future trade architecture between the EU and Ukraine, in particular the upcoming review of trade liberalization under the DCFTA?
• What are your views on the interplay between the Association Agreement and the Accession process?
• How can we leverage Ukraine's strengths to enhance EU competitiveness on a global scale?