Ukraine Seeks to Expand U.S.-Backed Reconstruction Fund to Defense Sector
During a meeting in Washington on June 4, Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Yuliia Svyrydenko, proposed expanding the investment mandate of the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund to include defense industry projects.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to Ukraine's Ministry of Economy.
The proposal, made to Conor Coleman, Head of Investment at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), underscores Ukraine’s strategic push to modernize and strengthen its defense capabilities through foreign partnerships.
While the Fund currently focuses on projects in critical raw materials, oil, gas, and related infrastructure, Ukrainian officials believe the evolving security landscape demands broader criteria for investment.
“We are confident that together with our American partners, we can attract not only capital but also advanced technologies to make the Fund a truly effective driver of reconstruction,” Svyrydenko said.
According to the Ministry of Economy, both sides acknowledged the strategic importance of investing in Ukraine’s defense sector and discussed the mechanisms that would make such cooperation viable.
The talks placed particular emphasis on establishing reliable instruments for mitigating military and political risks faced by foreign investors. Ukrainian and U.S. officials agreed that such mechanisms are essential to unlocking greater private sector involvement, especially from U.S.-based companies.
The meeting also served as preparation for the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Rome, where the Fund’s progress will be showcased in a dedicated workshop.
The U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund was officially launched on May 23, 2025, following the signing of a bilateral agreement in Washington on April 30 and its ratification by the Verkhovna Rada on May 8.
Jointly financed by the governments of Ukraine and the United States, the Fund is designed to channel investment into resource extraction, energy, port infrastructure, and other sectors deemed critical to Ukraine’s recovery and development.
As The Gaze reported earlier, US President Donald Trump has said that as a result of signing a subsoil deal with Ukraine, the United States could get more than the $350 billion it has spent on Ukraine.