The Centre for Economic Strategy held an online roundtable discussion titled “How can Ukraine build a win-win partnership with EU countries? A Central and Eastern European perspective,” focusing on the development of Ukraine’s economic relations with countries in the region.
EU countries increasingly view Ukraine as a large neighbouring market, a source of labour and human capital, a partner in manufacturing and logistics, and a future member of the European Union. At the same time, public and political debates in neighbouring countries are often accompanied by concerns about competition in sensitive sectors.
During the event, the CES team presented research on Ukraine’s economic ties with neighbouring European Union countries.
- Economic ties between Ukraine and neighbouring EU countries have deepened significantly since 2022. The reconfiguration of trade routes, migration flows, and the development of new logistics corridors have strengthened cross-border economic integration between Ukraine and Central and Eastern European countries.
- Neighbouring countries have become key gateways between Ukraine and the EU economy. They facilitate a large share of logistics, provide services to Ukrainian businesses, play a crucial role in energy supply, and are emerging as partners in industrial cooperation.
- Cross-border value chains are emerging in several strategic sectors between Ukraine and neighboring countriesincluding metallurgy, automotive component manufacturing, agri-food processing, logistics, and defence-related industries.
See our report below for further details.
Participants:
- Philip BednarczykWarsaw Office Director, German Marshall Fund of the United States.
- Pavel HavlicekResearch fellow of the Prague-based Association for International Affairs (AMO).
- Julia Korotia, Transatlantic Security program coordinator, Warsaw office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
- Valerii KravetsSouth and Wider Europe program coordinator, Black Sea Regional Office, GMF
- Ivan MiklosPresident of MESA10 and member of the Supervisory Board of CES.
- Jan Marusinec,Executive director of MESA10.
- Wojciech PrzybylskiEditor-in-chief of Visegrad Insight and president of the Res Publica Foundation in Warsaw.
- Jan StrzeleckiDeputy Head of World Economy Team, Polish Economic Institute.
Map of Ukraine’s economic ties with EU countries is a page that brings together all research conducted within the project. Presented as infographics, it compiles information on trade, investment, human capital, and other indicators. The analytical materials can be viewed directly on the website or downloaded.
This project is produced by Centre for Economic Strategy with the support of the Askold and Dir Fund as a part of the the Strong Civil Society of Ukraine – a Driver towards Reforms and Democracy project, implemented by ISAR Ednannia, funded by Norway and Sweden. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Centre for Economic Strategy and can in no way be taken to reflect the views the Government of Norway, the Government of Sweden and ISAR Ednannia.
