Undersecretary Ratnik stressed that, as Russia’s aggression continues to intensify and Ukraine’s economy and critical infrastructure are being targeted ahead of the winter, partners must find ways to significantly increase their support for Ukraine. “Russia’s aim is to leave Ukrainians without food, heating and electricity this coming winter. It is our responsibility to prevent that,” Ratnik said.
“This is precisely why the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will take place in Tallinn in January 2027, will focus more than ever on Ukraine’s urgent needs and strengthening its resilience. We want to find practical solutions that will help ensure consistent international support for Ukraine, both in the short and long term. To this end, we are bringing together partners from the public and private sectors and civil society to mobilise urgent assistance and move from promises to concrete action,” she added.
Speaking about funding for support to Ukraine, Ratnik noted that the European Union had frozen Russian assets worth more than €200 billion and that a solution must be found to put them to use. “Using the aggressor’s assets is not merely a means of putting further pressure on Russia; it is also an opportunity to ensure that it is the aggressor who pays for Ukraine’s reconstruction,” Ratnik said.
The meeting also addressed Ukraine’s progress towards EU accession. Ratnik noted that, despite the full-scale war, Ukraine had made significant progress in implementing the necessary reforms. “To accelerate the accession process, the last two negotiating clusters must be opened without delay,” she added.
During her visit, Undersecretary Ratnik met with the heads of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s operations in Ukraine, representatives of the European Investment Bank, Ukraine’s Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, Vitalii Bezgin, and Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi. The meetings focused on the expected outcomes of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Tallinn and opportunities to provide further support to Ukraine.
