Rebuild Ukraine Forum 2026  /  Panel II  /  22 October 2026

The discussions focused on the essential role of institutional and corporate cooperation in driving economic recovery and the reconstruction of Ukraine. Participants reaffirmed Romania’s firm commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, highlighting strategic milestones such as the first gas from Neptun Deep expected in 2027. Minister of Finance Alexandru Nazare emphasized that the state must support mature Romanian companies ready to go international, noting EximBank’s participation in EU projects and the importance of early engagement in financing mechanisms. Furthermore, the financial dimensions of Black Sea and Danube security were underscored, as regional instabilities directly drive up transport costs and insurance premiums.

Highlighting Romania’s favorable geostrategic position, the panel addressed the urgent need to eliminate legislative, customs, and transport barriers. Sándor Bende proposed a dedicated Romanian-Ukrainian industrial partnership and platform focusing on metallurgy, electrical equipment, and energy efficiency. Meanwhile, Ovidiu Ioan Silaghi reaffirmed the ongoing support of Romania’s network of 42 county chambers of commerce in fostering mutual trust and information sharing. Presenting the regional perspective, Sergiu Harea addressed the immense difficulties faced by Moldova in attracting investments near a war zone, emphasizing the vital need for robust supply chains and fair financial access.

Gennadiy Chyzhykov delivered a compelling testimony on the resilience of Ukrainian businesses operating under wartime conditions, detailing rapid technological advancements, a massive scale-up in domestic drone production, sustained agricultural exports, and energy readiness, while calling for closer logistical integration via Romanian ports and the unlocking of Odesa. Finally, Ambassador Adrian Zuckerman urged deep transatlantic unity and close collaboration among Romania, Moldova, Poland, and Ukraine, warning against historical complacency and stressing that supporting Ukraine is fundamentally an investment in global democracy.