Preparing for the Ukraine of tomorrow. And the day after.

My first visit to Ukraine was in 1993. Over the years, I’ve seen the country make significant strides, strengthening its institutions, reforming, and charting a path towards upper middle-income level. This week’s visit, my third since the war began, was about the Ukraine of tomorrow.?

It won’t come as a surprise to you that I have become a friend of Ukraine. A deep admiration for its people dating back long before the full-scale invasion. Over 1,000 days into this war, my sense of commitment has not left me. I continue to be impressed by the extraordinary perseverance of an entire nation under constant attack.?

My time in Kyiv this week reinforced what I had seen in the past: the government’s determination to tackle today’s most pressing needs, plan for tomorrow, and prepare for the day after that.??

Supporting Ukraine at each of these critical phases is a top priority for the World Bank Group, building on decades of a strong partnership in tackling some of the most difficult challenges – always with the goal of improving the lives of all Ukrainians. Today, more than ever, committed to helping secure a peaceful future. ??

Addressing the needs of today:?Our commitment to the people of Ukraine??

Visiting a country at war is challenging, both logistically and emotionally. But this is nothing compared to the hardships Ukrainians have been enduring for close to three years — constant air alerts, frantic runs to bomb shelters, and living with fear, anxiety, and heartbreaking separation and loss.??

That is why, from Day 1, our focus has been clear: To remain engaged to preserve development gains, support the population, build resilience, and prepare for future recovery. Because in the most difficult of circumstances, these are at the heart of the World Bank Group’s strategy in countries affected by fragility, conflict, and violence.??

To the people of Ukraine, this has meant supporting children, ensuring they can continue their education — even in shelters or metro tunnels, often the only remaining safe places. Support in keeping the government running, civil servants to be paid, and pensions to reach the elderly. Support for communities, providing social, health, and mental health services. And support for those who have lost their homes and need a place to stay, especially during the harsh continental winters.??

Just outside of Kyiv, I saw how infrastructure like functioning railways is crucial for delivering aid, medical supplies, and food, keeping Ukraine connected to the world and providing much needed relief.

Beyond today, preparing for tomorrow??

But meeting today’s needs is only part of what’s on the government’s mind. Together, we are planning for the Ukraine of tomorrow. Because the people of Ukraine deserve better days. And it starts with rebuilding, reforming, and creating the conditions for a growing and inclusive economy. No small task in the midst of war, but a necessary forward-looking vision we aim to help turn into reality.

Stabilizing the economy is a critical part of this effort. This means implementing reforms to strengthen macroeconomic stability, improve public finances, and create a business environment where the private sector can play its critical part.

Reforms will pay dividends in the future, but, as I emphasized at a high-level event on the Ukraine Reform Matrix, now is the time for the economy to grow. Growth that includes everyone, including returning citizens, women, veterans, and those scarred by the war.

At the World Bank Group, we’re convinced that helping countries like Ukraine transition out of crises requires approaches that rebuild the social contract between citizens and the state, foster a healthy local private sector, and strengthen the legitimacy and capacity of core institutions.??

This is why the Memorandum of Understanding I signed with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is important for mobilizing our knowledge to shape future policies and create more and better jobs. As engines of recovery, we’re supporting 20,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, helping them create or protect at least 40,000 jobs — key to restoring opportunities, livelihoods, and hope. In times of crisis, jobs are the answer.??

And rebuilding will require a collective effort: the government, the private sector, and civil society are already answering the call.

Beyond tomorrow: A thriving and vibrant Ukraine??

As Ukraine marked 1,000 days of the war, President Zelenskyy outlined his vision for the future. In my meeting with him, I reaffirmed our support to help the country prepare for the day after tomorrow.

For Ukraine to rebuild a resilient and prosperous economy, its people and businesses must compete effectively in the global market. Ukraine’s path towards integration into the European Union offers a chance to benefit from market liberalization, attract investment, and leverage economies of scale.??

Rebuilding better also means putting women at the center of the recovery. This includes all women: heads of households, internally displaced women, returnees, survivors of gender-based violence, and women in rural areas. Women have shown their strength during these difficult times, keeping families, communities, and the country together. Now is the time to ensure they have access to opportunities, including in sectors traditionally dominated by men.??

I leave with the hope of returning soon and witnessing peace in this country. Until then, I know that the work we’re doing to prepare for this moment is making a difference.