Ukraine's post-war rebuilding faces demographic, economic and political hurdles

Polish commentator Bogusław Chrabota warns that Ukraine’s post‑war reconstruction will be more difficult because of policy errors than the physical war damage. He argues that President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decisions – including over‑estimating the state’s capacity, relying on large inflows of foreign capital and stoking nationalist sentiment – could impede the country’s recovery.

Chrabota notes that Ukraine estimates war losses at about $600 billion, with one‑fifth of its territory still occupied. The population has fallen to under 30 million, GDP to roughly $225 billion, and the labour market is strained by casualties, injuries and hundreds of thousands of soldiers. He cautions that demobilised veterans with PTSD will face reintegration challenges and that without deep anti‑corruption, judicial and oligarchic reforms, foreign investors will be reluctant to commit funds.

The columnist concludes that Ukraine’s future EU accession and economic revival depend on credible reforms rather than an illusory “Klondike” of foreign money.