Ukraine
With the start of Russia's war of aggression in 2022, Switzerland remains committed continue existing initiatives, respond to new needs, and combine reform with recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine. In the next years, Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction, and also the involvement of the Swiss private sector, will be a priority for SECO.
Cooperation with the Swiss Private Sector to Support Ukraine's Reconstruction
Switzerland has developed measures to strengthen the engagement of the Swiss private sector in Ukraine (more information).
Country Context
Russia’s full-scale war of aggression, which started in February 2022, has a devastating impact on Ukraine. Beyond the tragic loss of human life, physical integrity and a feeling of security, it results in massive destruction of Ukraine's infrastructure as well as human and social capital. Russia is strategically targeting energy and other critical infrastructure, damaging up to now over 70 percent of Ukraine's energy capacity. To maintain a viable society and state, economic recovery and reconstruction must therefore take place while the war is still going on.
Ukraine is a priority country for Swiss cooperation with Eastern Europe since the 1990s. Ukraine applied for EU membership in February 2022 and is an EU candidate country since June 2022. The prospect of joining the EU is an important driver for reforms and supported by Switzerland.
War against Ukraine – measures taken by the Confederation since 24 February 2022
Swiss Support
In response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, Switzerland has taken quick action at various levels and has more than quadrupled its annual financial support. The Federal Council decided on April 10, 2024, to support the reconstruction of Ukraine in the long term, earmarking a budget of CHF 5 billion for the next 12 years (2025-2036). As a first step, Switzerland is providing CHF 1.5 billion from 2025 to 2028. With this amount, support to Ukraine through humanitarian aid, bilateral development aid, and multilateral channels can continue. Additionally, the Federal Council decided that out of the CHF 1.5 billion, CHF 500 million will be allocated for a stronger inclusion of the Swiss private sector into the process of Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction.
Priority areas
The Swiss cooperation programme for Ukraine 2025-2028 has been developed by the departments of SDC, SECO, and PHRD. It sets out the strategic direction of the Swiss cooperation and defines the three areas of intervention that will form the pillars of our strategic priorities:
In order to reflect the unique dimension of the Country Programme 2025-2028 and to ensure its coordinated implementation, a dedicated project organization between the departments of FDFA and EAER has been set up. A Federal Council delegate for Ukraine, Jacques Gerber, has been appointed to lead the project organization as well as the strategic development, steering, monitoring, and implementation of the Country Programme.
Inclusion of the Swiss private sector in reconstruction efforts
Financial support of CHF 500 million is planned for the stronger inclusion of the Swiss private in Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts over the next four years. In this context, Switzerland has developed six measures allowing to include the Swiss private sector in Ukraine's recovery and to contribute to a resilient and sustainable economy. These measures will be part of the Country Programme Ukraine 2025-2028 and be implemented in a manner that complements Switzerland's existing international cooperation efforts.
Six measures for intervention
- M1: Financing of project preparation studies;
- M2: Financial aid / project financing for the acquisition of products and services in specific sectors (Call for Proposals);
- M3: Extension of the mandate for the promotion and participation of Swiss industries in large-scale foreign infrastructure projects;
- M4: Communication, stakeholder management, and strengthening of bilateral economic relations CH-UA;
- M5: Strengthening SERV’s risk-bearing capacity for the benefit of exports to Ukraine;
- M6: De-risking of private investments in Ukraine.
Project examples
SECO is engaged in around 45 projects in Ukraine. In addition to bilateral initiatives, SECO is also committed to support Ukraine through multilateral institutions, such as the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Some project examples:
Achievements
Since the outbreak of the war, SECO has provided around CHF 50 million annually to support Ukraine. This is a significant increase in the budget. From 2025, SECO will work with an even larger budget, with around CHF 650 million earmarked for Ukraine over the next four years.
More information on the history of cooperation between Ukraine and Switzerland