Polish Minister at Davos: Ukraine’s Recovery to Cost Over €500 Billion, Opening New Horizons for Business

Davos / Kyiv, January 26, 2026. The recovery of Ukraine after the war will become “one of the most ambitious projects of our time,” valued at 506 billion euros by 2034.

This was stated by Poland’s Minister of State Assets, Wojciech Balczun, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He called on Polish companies to start preparing now to participate in this process, emphasizing that reconstruction is not only an obligation but also a huge economic opportunity for the entire region.

“Poland Wants to Participate in Ukraine’s Recovery”

The minister’s speech, according to the Polish publication WNP, focused on the key theme of this year’s Davos—the future of Ukraine. Balczun stated that Warsaw sees itself as an active participant in the recovery process.

“Poland wants to participate in the rebuilding of Ukraine, and Polish firms should already be preparing for this process,” stated the minister.

He called the upcoming work not just a technical task, but a chance that “could change our region, and even all of Europe.”

The Polish minister expressed hope that a peace agreement or ceasefire would be reached “sooner rather than later,” paving the way for the practical implementation of plans. In his assessment, the scale of expenditures at half a trillion euros will require close international cooperation and innovative solutions.

Polish Aid Has Already Exceeded €21 Billion

Balczun recalled the scale of support Poland has already provided to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. He said the total cost of Polish aid “significantly exceeded 21 billion euros” (equivalent to approximately 23 billion US dollars (USD) at the January 2026 exchange rate*).

“Our aid to Ukraine has significantly exceeded €21 billion, which places us among the largest donors in the world relative to GDP. Some reports estimate this aid at 6.7% of our GDP,” the minister noted.

This aid includes deliveries of military equipment worth about 1 billion euros (approx. 1.1 billion USD), humanitarian support, and an unprecedented wave of private solidarity: according to Balczun, over 70% of Poles have in some way helped Ukrainians, providing housing and material aid.

Context and Business Opportunities

The minister’s statement is a clear signal to the Polish business community. Poland, with its geographical and cultural proximity, as well as significant experience in construction and infrastructure projects, intends to take leading positions in Ukraine’s recovery. Balczun announced that the next conference dedicated to Ukraine’s recovery will be organized in Gdańsk, which will become a practical platform for discussing specific mechanisms and instruments of assistance.

For the Ukrainian side, this approach means several important points:

• A Predictable Partner: Poland is positioning itself as a long-term, strategic partner in the recovery process, not just a donor of humanitarian aid.
• Transfer of Technology and Expertise: The participation of Polish companies can become a channel for implementing modern construction standards, energy-efficient technologies, and management practices.
• A Stimulus for Ukrainian Business: Large infrastructure projects will create opportunities for Ukrainian contractors, material suppliers, and service companies, but will also intensify competition.

It should be noted that both Ukrainian and Polish companies, whose representatives I had the opportunity to speak with while preparing this material, confirm interest in cooperation, and some of them are already in active negotiations. Minister Balczun should be pleased.

Analysis: Between Solidarity and Economic Interest

Wojciech Balczun’s speech skillfully combines two narratives: solidarity and pragmatism. On the one hand, he emphasizes Poland’s unprecedented humanitarian and military contribution, measured as a percentage of GDP, which is a powerful political message. On the other hand, he directly speaks of an economic opportunity for Polish firms.

This reflects the natural transition from the phase of emergency aid to the phase of long-term recovery. Polish business, especially in construction, logistics, energy, and engineering, is receiving a green light from its government to prepare for work in Ukraine.

For Western investors and companies observing the region, this signals that the post-war reconstruction phase is entering a practical planning stage. The scale of the project suggests significant opportunities for international partnerships, joint ventures, and supply contracts, requiring thorough market analysis and relationship-building now.

For Ukraine, it is important that this process is transparent, competitive, and ultimately contributes not only to the physical restoration of infrastructure but also to the strengthening of its own economy and the creation of new jobs.

Final Thoughts: A Signal to Start Preparing

The Polish minister’s statement in Davos is not just a statement of facts. It is the public launch of the preparation mechanism for one of the largest construction projects of the 21st century in Europe. The figure of 506 billion euros (approx. 556 billion USD) defines the level of ambition and required resources.

For Ukraine, the key tasks now are to develop detailed, transparent, and fair mechanisms for engaging international contractors, ensure the rule of law in public procurement, and create conditions where recovery will be a synergy of foreign investment, technology, and Ukrainian labor. Poland, it seems, intends to be at the forefront of this process, and it is time for Ukrainian businesses and authorities to actively engage in this dialogue so that future partnership is mutually beneficial and effective.

*For reference: estimated exchange rates as of 01/26/2026. Amounts in USD are for informational purposes only.