Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Business and Trade Minister Chris Bryant were in Kyiv on 16 January for the first‑anniversary summit of the UK–Ukraine “100 Year Partnership”. The UK confirmed an extra £20 million to repair and protect energy infrastructure after intensified Russian strikes; Lammy also met families affected by drone attacks and spoke with UNHCR staff. ([gov.uk](Link

For business, the most practical update is a new memorandum of understanding between UK Export Finance and ECA Ukraine to deepen cooperation and support bilateral trade. The government also signalled three UK‑led programmes focused on upgrading school facilities and developing a net‑zero housing initiative, creating near‑term routes from discussion to delivery. ([gov.uk](Link

The scale is meaningful for UK suppliers. A joint World Bank, EU and UN assessment puts Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery needs at $524 billion over the next decade, with housing and energy among the largest requirements. That translates into steady demand for grid equipment, distributed power, district heating components and scalable housing solutions. ([worldbank.org](Link

The anniversary package also touches the investment climate. The UK judiciary will provide training for Ukrainian commercial judges to strengthen contract enforcement. It builds on the long‑term partnership signed in Kyiv on 16 January 2025, which set a century‑long framework for cooperation across security, the economy and reform. ([gov.uk](Link

On financing risk, the UK’s official factsheet highlights up to £3.5 billion of UKEF cover available for Ukraine projects. At the same time, UKEF’s country page lists Ukraine as “Contact us” for short and long tenors-practically, case‑by‑case approvals with enhanced due diligence and attention to project location. ([gov.uk](Link

Insurance backstops are slowly returning. The EBRD’s war‑risk insurance facility-managed by Aon and now bringing in international reinsurers-aims to support goods and vehicles in transit, while MIGA has expanded political‑risk cover including war and civil disturbance. The UK also signed a Statement of Intent with the EBRD in 2023 to help build a broader scheme for UK firms operating in Ukraine. ([ebrd.com](Link

On the product side, exporters can draw on UKEF’s Export Insurance Policy, which covers up to 95% of eligible losses, and use transaction‑specific guarantees-such as the Bills and Notes Guarantee-to extend buyer payment terms. These tools become more usable as co‑insurers and DFIs increase risk capacity around Ukraine‑bound deals. ([ukexportfinance.gov.uk](Link

Policy signals from Kyiv also point to a more investable environment: officials have flagged work on trade liberalisation, procurement rules and war‑risk solutions alongside coordination with the UK Department for Business and Trade. For UK contractors, that combination matters as tenders move from emergency fixes to multi‑year rebuilds. ([kmu.gov.ua](Link

The human dimension is the constant. The extra £20 million is intended to keep heat and power flowing in homes, hospitals and schools through winter conditions-and the officials’ meetings with affected families underline why energy repairs, school upgrades and safe housing are not just line items but daily necessities. ([gov.uk](Link

Market Pulse UK view: this is a measured, incremental step that widens the path for bankable projects rather than a single big‑bang announcement. UK SMEs with relevant kit-from transformers and switchgear to modular classrooms and low‑carbon housing systems-should line up financing partners early, document compliance on sanctions and end‑use, and engage local counterparts ready to deliver on the ground. ([gov.uk](Link