Sustaining Support for Ukraine: Balancing Defence and Recon­s­truction in a Protracted War 

Sustaining Support for Ukraine: Balancing Defence and Recon­s­truction in a Protracted War  

Date: 27 January 2026, 16:30 

Venue: Berlin-Mitte

The Center for Liberal Modernity cordially invites you to an expert discussion entitled “Sustaining Support for Ukraine: Balancing Defence and Recon­s­truction in a Protracted War”. 

While Russia’s war against Ukraine continues unabated, the country’s infra­structure is nearing its breaking point. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s energy system has come closer to collapse than ever before, while transport networks and civilian homes remain the targets of inten­sified air strikes. The number of civilians killed by drones and missiles is reaching new highs. 

Even as the defence effort continues, recon­s­truction must already begin. To secure sustained public support in Ukraine and among its European backers, politi­cians and experts must find the right balance between defence and recon­s­truction. They also need to address thorny problems like the corruption risks that come with the influx of large-assis­tance funds or how to disperse funds fairly between Ukraine’s regions with their widely diverging needs. 

To set the stage for the discussion, Igor Popov and Oleksandra Betliy will present their new policy briefs, “Rebuilding Ukraine: Strategy, Priorities and Recom­men­da­tions” and “Support for Ukraine: Balancing Military and Financial Aid”. These policy briefs are based on the article series “Recon­s­truction in a state of war – oppor­tu­nities and risks” (in German). 

Speakers: 

Igor Popov, Ukrainian Analyst and Director, “United Ukraine”
Oleksandra Betliy, Leading Research Fellow and Project Coordi­nator, Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting, Kyiv
Ulrike Hopp-Nishanka, Head of the Task Force Ukraine, Federal Ministry for Economic Coope­ration and Develo­pment (BMZ)
Robert Kirchner, Deputy Team Leader of the German Economic Team and Leader of the Energy and Climate Team, Berlin Economics 

Moderator: 

Simon Schlegel, Ukraine Program Director, Center for Liberal Modernity 

Regis­tration: https://forms.office.com/e/SCXv4GhEam  

The discussion will be followed by a reception at 18:00, offering an oppor­tunity for further exchange and networking. 

This event is funded by the Strategic Commu­ni­ca­tions and Advocacy Lab.