The EU and Ukraine are entering a new stage of cooperation, centred on the development of strategic industries and dual-use technologies.
At the second EU–Ukraine Investment Conference, held as part of ReBuild Ukraine 2025 in Warsaw, the European Commission announced a landmark decision: the Ukraine Investment Framework (UIF) can now be applied to support dual-use technologies in Ukraine. This is the first time an EU investment framework of this scale includes dual-use technologies in Ukraine.
The decision was presented by the leadership of the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations — Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, and Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General.
What investments were announced by the EU?
The European Commission reported an update to the Ukraine Investment Framework, whose budget has increased to €9.5 billion, supported by an additional €127 million contribution from Norway.
EU Member States have approved programmes worth €722 million, expected to mobilise around €2 billion in investments into Ukraine’s economy.
What is the UIF?
The UIF is the investment pillar of the EU’s Ukraine Facility, implemented through international financial institutions. They launch credit, guarantee and investment instruments for Ukrainian companies.
How did this become possible?
The decision to open the UIF to support dual-use technologies in Ukraine was made possible thanks to the political leadership of the European Commission and the Government of Ukraine.
At the same time, throughout the year, the BRDO team, as part of the Defence First initiative, consistently advocated for the opening of European investment instruments, in particular the UIF, in close cooperation with government partners and the civil sector.
This demonstrates how joint action by the government, the EU and civil society can reshape the rules of the game for an entire industry.
What does this mean for Ukrainian manufacturers?
The opening of the UIF enables investment in technologies that form the core of modern defence systems — from unmanned platforms and components to communications, navigation, intelligence and electronic warfare solutions.
What is BRDO’s role?
During the EU–Ukraine Investment Conference, a panel titled “Unlocking investment in strategic industries, enabling Ukraine’s resilience” took place, moderated by Oleksii Dorogan, CEO of BRDO.
Panel participants included: Gert Jan Koopman, Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood; Herald Ruijters, Deputy Director-General, DG DEFIS (European Commission); Hanna Gvozdiar, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine; Marta Postuła, First Vice President, BGK (Polish Development Bank); Denys Gurak, Co-founder & COO, MITS Capital; Oleksandr Yakovenko, CEO of TAF Industries; Dario Giacomin, Head of Fincantieri Underwater Hub.