Ukraine and the United Kingdom have outlined the next steps to implement the Centennial Partnership Agreement — a long-term political and economic framework that should secure British involvement in Ukraine’s recovery and integration into Western markets.
During an online meeting, Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Oleksiy Sobolev and UK Minister of State for Business and Trade Chris Bryant, together with deputy ministers and representatives of the British Embassy, focused not on declarations but on concrete economic instruments for 2026.
Investment and reconstruction
Both sides confirmed that British business will be invited not only to post-war but also to current reconstruction projects — in industry, energy, agrifood processing and infrastructure. The UK is ready to coordinate government tools so that private British capital can enter Ukrainian projects with clearer rules and lower risks.
Trade and access to the UK market
A separate block of the talks concerned trade. Ukraine asked to keep and expand zero tariffs for agricultural and food products — above all poultry and eggs — and to consider further liberalization in agri-trade. For Ukrainian producers this is one of the most attractive non-EU markets, so predictable access to it is a strategic issue.
Support for SMEs
The parties agreed to expand cooperation on instruments for small and medium-sized businesses — grants, concessional financing and export support modeled on British programs. The idea is to make sure not only large state projects, but also Ukrainian private companies can work with the UK.
War risk insurance
A key barrier for investors remains the war. That’s why Kyiv and London discussed joint mechanisms of investment insurance and a more active role for UK Export Finance in Ukrainian projects. If workable insurance for political and military risks appears, it will unlock significantly more British money for Ukraine.
Public procurement and standards
Another direction is the convergence of procurement rules. The UK will help Ukraine introduce non-price criteria and improve tender procedures so that quality, localization and innovation matter in addition to the lowest price. This is important for reconstruction and for joint projects with British companies.
Sobolev stressed that the UK is treating cooperation with Ukraine as long-term and is ready to reflect all agreed steps in a joint action plan for 2026. The documents are to be finalized before the Ukraine–UK Strategic Dialogue scheduled for November 2025.
