The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2026) will open in Gdańsk on Thursday, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to be absent amid an ongoing diplomatic dispute between Kyiv and Warsaw.
The controversy stems from a decree issued by Zelensky granting a Ukrainian military unit the honorary title of “Heroes of the UPA” (Ukrainian Insurgent Army). The move sparked a strong reaction in Poland, where the memory of the Volhynia massacres remains deeply significant. In response, Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked the Order of the White Eagle previously awarded to Zelensky.
Rather than reconsidering the decision, Ukrainian officials responded by returning a number of Polish state honors. Former Ukrainian presidents Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Petro Poroshenko announced that they would no longer accept the distinction. Other officials followed suit, including Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who returned the Commander’s Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of Poland, and presidential office chief Kyrylo Budanov, who relinquished his own Polish decoration. Ukraine’s ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, also reportedly returned his award.
The dispute has highlighted broader disagreements over historical memory and the interpretation of wartime events, creating tensions between two countries that have otherwise been close allies since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, attention is turning to the main event itself: the Ukraine Recovery Conference. The gathering will bring together government representatives, financial institutions, international organizations, and private investors to discuss Ukraine’s reconstruction and future economic development.
Key sectors expected to attract investment include energy, logistics, defense, and security. According to organizers, strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities remains essential for both sustainable reconstruction and long-term economic growth.
The conference will conclude with a Think Tank Forum, bringing together policy experts and analysts to discuss strategic priorities for Ukraine’s recovery.
According to Ukrainian officials, Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko will lead the Ukrainian delegation in place of President Zelensky and represent the country during the proceedings.
