At the opening of the 2025 edition of the Forum for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, Mr. Ionel Nițu, President of the New Strategy Center, underscored the need for a solid platform for dialogue dedicated to Ukraine’s reconstruction, bringing together decision-makers from central institutions, the private sector, and local administrations along the border. Romania, as a neighbouring state, has a direct understanding of the needs and challenges on the ground, and the event aims to leverage this advantage to identify concrete investment and cooperation opportunities. He also highlighted Romania’s strategic role in the future reconstruction process, including the potential to develop a “Romania–Ukraine strategic triangle,” supported by the port infrastructure on the Danube and the Black Sea—already in the European Commission’s focus for expanded transport capacity. At the same time, he stressed the importance of a multidimensional approach to the discussions—economic, social, humanitarian, and security-related—and the need for direct, honest, solution-oriented engagement.

The first panel, entitled “The Importance of Romania for the Reconstruction of Ukraine,” featured His Excellency Mircea Abrudean, President of the Senate of Romania, as keynote speaker. In his address, he reaffirmed Romania’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and to contributing actively to the reconstruction process, which he defined as not only an economic priority but also a political and security imperative for the whole of Europe. He emphasized that Romania’s geographical position—through the Port of Constanța, the Danube ports, and the expanding rail and road infrastructure—gives the country a strategic advantage to become the central logistical hub of the reconstruction effort. The official stressed the need for reforms to accompany reconstruction, especially in energy, infrastructure, public administration, and digitalisation, arguing that reconstruction is also an instrument of European integration. He outlined the opportunities available to Romanian businesses—from construction and energy to IT and education—emphasizing that Romania has the capacity, expertise, and responsibility to become a major actor in this process. He also reiterated that a just and lasting peace is a fundamental prerequisite for any investment, and that military support remains essential to safeguard capital and ensure the continuity of reconstruction.