Ukraine's Zelensky skips Poland reconstruction conference amid diplomatic row over historical disputes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy skipped the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk, Poland, on June 25, 2026, amid a bitter diplomatic row. The dispute intensified after Zelenskyy named a military unit after the WWII-era Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which Poland accuses of massacring 100,000 Poles. Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Zelenskyy of Poland's highest honor, prompting Ukrainian officials to return their awards. Despite the political tension, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko led Kyiv's delegation to secure over €10 billion in agreements and a €3.2-billion EU loan tranche.

Zelensky Skips Poland Conference

• ▪Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko led the Ukrainian delegation to the Gdansk conference in place of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
• ▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not attend the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk, Poland, which began on June 25, 2026

Poland-Ukraine Historical Tensions

• ▪Poland accuses the Ukrainian Insurgent Army of murdering approximately 100,000 ethnic Poles during the Volhynia massacres from 1943 to 1945
• ▪Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Poland's highest state honor, the Order of the White Eagle, on June 19, 2026
• ▪Ukrainian officials Kyrylo Budanov, Andriy Sibiha, and Petro Poroshenko returned their Polish state awards in response to the diplomatic dispute
• ▪President Volodymyr Zelenskyy named an elite Ukrainian military unit after the World War II-era Ukrainian Insurgent Army, triggering a diplomatic dispute with Poland

Ukraine Recovery Conference Commitments

• ▪Ukraine expects to sign more than 160 defense, business, and regional development agreements worth over €10 billion during the Gdansk conference
• ▪The Ukrainian Finance Ministry confirmed receipt of a €3.2-billion tranche from a €90-billion European Union loan to fund defense, security, and energy resilience
• ▪European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a forthcoming €6-billion EU loan tranche dedicated to Ukrainian drone production

EU Reconstruction Investment Fund

• ▪The European Commission, France, Germany, and Poland established an investment fund for Ukraine's reconstruction that aims to mobilize around €500 million in 2026
• ▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that the European reconstruction fund would be kick-started by an initial public package worth up to €220 million

Ukrainian Drone Strikes

• ▪President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian drones struck oil refineries in Ufa and an oil depot in the Krasnodar region in overnight strikes
• ▪The Russian Defense Ministry reported that its air defense systems downed 269 Ukrainian drones from late June 24 to early June 25, 2026

Donbas Front Line Updates

• ▪Russian forces continue a slow and costly advance toward conquering the entirety of the Donbas region, including a fortress city in Donetsk oblast
• ▪Ukrainian forces have recaptured small amounts of territory in some areas of eastern Ukraine despite the ongoing Russian offensive