Ukraine Urges Expanded Economic Ties With Poland
Kyrylo Budanov called for joint business projects and defense production at a Warsaw forum on November 13, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in International Trade
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Kyrylo Budanov, head of the President's Office of Ukraine, called for expanded Ukrainian-Polish economic cooperation and joint defense production in a video address at the Ukrainian-Polish Win-Win Business Forum in Warsaw. Trade between the two countries totalled nearly $13 billion in 2025.
Why it matters
The push reflects a shift toward closer industrial and security ties between Ukraine and Poland, with officials citing Russia's threat to both countries as a driver. Officials also said Ukraine's EU integration could open new opportunities for Polish companies in the Ukrainian market.
Trade between Ukraine and Poland totalled nearly $13 billion in 2025, according to figures cited at the forum. A Deloitte assessment for the UNHCR put the economic contribution of Ukrainian refugees to Poland's GDP at about 2.4% in 2025, though the source does not detail how any specific joint project would be valued.
The players
Kyrylo Budanov
Head of the President's Office of Ukraine, who delivered a video address calling for expanded economic cooperation and joint defense production with Poland.
Oleksandr Kravchenko
Minister of Economy and Environment of Ukraine, who spoke at the forum on economic cooperation.
Taras Kachka
Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the European Union, who spoke at the forum.
The details
The Ukrainian-Polish Win-Win Business Forum took place November 13 at the EXPO XXI exhibition center in Warsaw as part of ReBuild Ukraine 2026, held under the patronage of the President's Office of Ukraine. Deputy Head of the President's Office Oleksiy Sobolev said Ukraine is interested in large-scale joint projects between state-owned companies, while Olena Kovalska pointed to Polish firms already active in Ukraine's processing industry and retail sector. Ukraine's Minister of Economy and Environment Oleksandr Kravchenko and Permanent Representative to the EU Taras Kachka also spoke.
Timeline
2025: Ukraine-Poland trade totalled nearly $13 billion.
November 13, 2026: Ukrainian-Polish Win-Win Business Forum held in Warsaw.
Market Dynamics
The forum follows the Deloitte-UNHCR estimate that Ukrainian refugees contributed roughly 2.4% to Poland's 2025 GDP, extending a labor and consumer ties relationship into state-led industrial partnerships. Officials framed the push against the backdrop of Ukraine's prospective EU integration, which they said could reshape trade flows between the two economies.
For households, the forum signals potential shifts in Polish company presence in Ukraine's retail and processing sectors, which could affect product availability over time. The source does not indicate any immediate changes to prices, tariffs or consumer access.
The takeaway
Closer Ukraine-Poland economic ties may create new investment and supply options for businesses in both countries as EU integration advances. Companies tracking cross-border trade should watch whether the proposed state-owned company projects move forward.
Further reading
For broader context on cross-border commercial agreements, explore International Trade coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Interfax-Ukraine.
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