UNP EaP CSF Steering Committee Appeal regarding participation in the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk and the importance of partnership between Ukraine and Poland based on trust
June 23, 2026
We are addressing you at a time when the format of Ukraine’s delegation to the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC), to be held on June 25–26, 2026, in Gdańsk, Poland, is on the agenda. Given the information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine that the final decision regarding our state’s representation is currently being processed, we, as representatives of civil society, believe it is necessary to emphasize the high strategic significance of this event for the future of Ukraine and Europe, for strengthening Ukrainian-Polish relations, and for the effectiveness of the post-war recovery process.
It is crucial for us to stress that the key to a successful partnership is an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect. We must protect it from any destructive influences, as trust is the very foundation upon which the resilience of our nations is built.
Today, June 23, marks the 25th anniversary of the historic apostolic visit of Saint Pope John Paul II to Ukraine. His words and initiatives remain a guiding light for us. It was he who laid the foundation for reconciliation, giving us the formula: “We forgive and we ask for forgiveness.” Speaking of forgiveness and reconciliation as a balm that heals historical memory, he emphasized: “This healing balm of historical memory is vital so that our nations do not remain hostages of the past, but rather build the future together”. Strengthening cooperation between the civil societies of Poland and Ukraine can be the key to preventing politicians from using problematic pages of our shared history for their own political goals.
In his farewell speech in Lviv, the Pope said: “Thank you, Ukraine, for protecting Europe from the invading hordes.” Today, history repeats itself: Ukraine is again defending European values against a new horde of Muscovites. We express our deep gratitude to the Polish people and all international partners for their invaluable assistance in this struggle.
Guided by our Advocacy Strategy for 2026–2030, we stress: the recovery of Ukraine is not just about rebuilding infrastructure, but about investing in human capital, democratic resilience, and social cohesion. As highlighted at the event “The Role of Civil Society in Recovery and EU Integration of Ukraine” (June 2, 2026), the recovery process must be people-centered, transparent, and accountable.
We call on the Government of Ukraine to develop systemic cooperation with civil society at an institutional level, rather than on a sporadic, ad hoc basis. We also urge the government delegation to the URC 2026 and all conference participants to engage in an active dialogue with civil society. Only together will we overcome the enemy and restore a strong, European Ukraine.
We wish all conference participants brilliant ideas, their innovative implementation, and solutions that will promote the recovery of Ukraine based on the principles of democracy, openness, and partnership!
Steering Committee of UNP EaP CSF
For reference:
The Ukrainian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (http://eap-csf.org.ua/) is a network of more than 150 non-governmental organizations in Ukraine that advocates Ukrainian interests within the framework of the Eastern Partnership. The platform is part of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF). The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum is unique multi-layered regional civil society platform aimed at promoting European integration, facilitating reforms and democratic transformations in the six Eastern Partnership countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Serving as the civil society and people-to-people dimension of the Eastern Partnership, the EaP CSF strives to strengthen civil society in the region, boost pluralism in public discourse and policy making by promoting participatory democracy and fundamental freedoms. The EaP CSF is a non-partisan bona fide non-governmental organisation.
