On May 31, 2025, the Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce (CUCC) proudly participated as a partner in the high-level international conference “Safeguarding Ukraine’s Future: Security Guarantees and Demining for Recovery & Reconstruction”, held at the Toronto Reference Library.
The event was organized by the NATO Association of Canada, in collaboration with CUCC and Mriya Aid, and brought together senior policymakers, diplomats, business leaders, defense and humanitarian experts to examine how long-term peace and prosperity in Ukraine depends on coordinated action around three pillars: strong security guarantees, private sector engagement, and large-scale demining initiatives.
Building a Secure Foundation for Recovery
The conference opened with keynote addresses from two prominent voices in international policy and human rights:
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Diane Francis, Editor-at-Large at The National Post, a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, and a renowned commentator on transatlantic security and corruption, delivered remarks on the geopolitical urgency of supporting Ukraine with concrete commitments.
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Oleksandra Matviichuk, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Chair of Ukraine’s Center for Civil Liberties, joined virtually with a message on the legal and moral imperatives of safeguarding democracy and holding aggressors accountable.
These keynote sessions set the tone for a day focused on actionable frameworks that will help transition Ukraine from wartime resilience to peacetime recovery.
Three Critical Conversations
The conference was structured around three expert-led panels:
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Securing the Foundation: NATO Membership and Intermediary Security Guarantees
Featuring H.E. Yuliya Kovaliv, Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada, LTG (ret.) Ben Hodges, and experts from the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and the University of Waterloo, this session explored strategic pathways to Ukraine’s NATO membership, interim security arrangements, and Canada’s potential role in the Euro-Atlantic security architecture. -
Security Guarantees in Action: What Strong Security Agreements Mean for Business in Ukraine and Canadian Investors
Developed and led by CUCC, this panel examined the direct relationship between security and investment. It was moderated by Mark Vytvytskyy, Vice President of CUCC, and featured:-
Zenon Potichny, CUCC President, who shared insights into the investment landscape in Ukraine and the Chamber’s role in supporting Canadian businesses
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Roman Kachur, Alternate Executive Director at the World Bank Group, who outlined risk mitigation tools such as guarantees and concessional finance
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Roman Shimonov, CEO of Roshel Inc., who offered a compelling business case for entering the Ukrainian market even amid current challenges
The discussion emphasized that Canadian investors are not waiting on the sidelines—many are already taking steps to engage in Ukraine’s recovery.
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Securing the Ground: Demining Ukraine for Recovery and Reconstruction
This panel addressed the urgent humanitarian and economic imperative of mine action, featuring insights from Tymur Pistriuha, Head of the Ukrainian Deminers Association; Yulia Koba, Senior Program Officer at Global Affairs Canada; Ambassador Egidijus Meilūnas of Lithuania; and demining professionals from UNOPS and OVA. The panel, moderated by Lesya Granger, CEO of Mriya Aid, underscored that no reconstruction effort can succeed without first ensuring safety on the ground.
CUCC’s Commitment to Ukraine’s Economic Future
CUCC’s participation in this conference is part of our ongoing commitment to building a strong, secure, and investable Ukraine. We believe firmly that economic reconstruction and security are inextricably linked—and that Canadian businesses have a key role to play in shaping Ukraine’s post-war future.
This event also builds on CUCC’s broader efforts, including our annual Rebuild Ukraine Business Conference, the Rebuild Ukraine Toolkit developed with the support of Export Development Canada, and our work with Ukrainian and Canadian partners to expand opportunities under the modernized Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA).
We extend our sincere gratitude to the NATO Association of Canada for their leadership in organizing this impactful conference, and to our fellow partners, speakers, and participants for contributing to a timely and solution-oriented dialogue.
Next Steps and Resources
The full panel recordings and post-conference report will be available on the NATO Association of Canada website shortly. CUCC encourages all members and stakeholders to review these valuable insights and explore ways to engage.
As we look ahead to the 4th Annual Rebuild Ukraine Business Conference this December, we reaffirm our mission to serve as a bridge between Canadian investors, Ukrainian entrepreneurs, and the international institutions committed to Ukraine’s recovery.
Together, we are not just supporting Ukraine—we are investing in its future.
