Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in Gdańsk Draws EU Leaders, Bulgaria, but Zelensky Absent

The annual conference on rebuilding Ukraine is being held in Gdańsk, Poland, with a focus on restoring the country’s energy sector, critical infrastructure and logistics. President Volodymyr Zelensky is not attending for the first time since 2022; the Ukrainian delegation is led by Prime Minister Julia Swirydenco amid ongoing tensions with Warsaw over World‑War‑II‑era historical issues. The summit expects to discuss a reconstruction effort estimated at about €500 billion, supported by the World Bank, the European Union and the United Nations, and includes appearances by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other EU officials.

Bulgaria’s Transport Minister Georgi Peev attended with Deputy Minister Kristina Velinova as part of a Bulgarian delegation headed by Vice‑Prime Minister and Economy Minister Alexander Pulev. Peev met EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kost, Polish Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak and the Polish rail group ZUE, emphasizing Bulgaria’s role in strengthening regional transport corridors such as the Trans‑Caspians route. Discussions covered North‑South railway links, removal of bottlenecks, construction of new Danube bridges and tunnels, and the adoption of modern signalling systems (ERTMS/ETCS).