Business Forum: U.S. Private Sector Engagement in Ukraine’s Reconstruction –
“On the Road to the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2026) in Gdańsk”
U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC) and K&L Gates will host the Business Forum: U.S. Private Sector Engagement in Ukraine’s Reconstruction in Washington, D.C. on Monday, 18 May 2026, from 12:30 to 5:30 PM, followed by Rooftop Cocktail Reception. The event will bring together senior U.S. and Ukrainian officials, industry leaders, and investors to discuss practical investment opportunities for private sector engagement in Ukraine’s recovery across defense, energy, and infrastructure on the road to Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2026) hosted in Gdańsk, Poland.
The Keynote Address will be delivered by Amb. John Herbst, Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine; Senior Director, Eurasia Center, Atlantic Council
The below Program and Speakers of the Business Forum reflect key priorities in defense innovation, energy development, and reconstruction financing, including discussions on investment readiness, legal frameworks, and mechanisms to mobilize private capital alongside public and institutional investors.
Program
12:00 – 12:30 PM
Registration
12:30 – 1:30 PM
Luncheon and Keynote Address by Amb. John Herbst, Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine; Senior Director, Eurasia Center, Atlantic Council
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Welcome Remarks:
Guillermo Christensen, Partner, K&L Gates
Stephanie Murphy, Chair of the Board of Directors, U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC); Vice President, Crop Science and Corporate Government Affairs at Bayer
Irina Paliashvili, President & CEO, U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC)
1:30 – 2:30 PM
Panel One: Ukraine: Opportunities for Private Sector in Defense and Security
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Reconstruction & Dual-Use Technology Investment
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Defense Industrial Base Partnerships & Co-Production
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Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure Protection
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Financing Structures & Risk Mitigation Mechanisms
Moderator:
Guillermo Christensen, Partner, K&L Gates
Speakers:
Nick Iltsopoulos, Chief Operating Officer, Trident Group America, Inc.
Jennifer Pueschner, Ukraine Executive, Global Accounts Requirements & Capabilities, Raytheon, an RTX Business
Boris Shulzhenko, Founder, Mathesis; CEO, aiKOLO LLC
Phillip Stewart, Chief Operating Officer, Jones Group Europe
2:30 – 2:45 PM
Networking Coffee Break
2:45 – 3:45 PM
Panel Two: Energy and Minerals
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Strategic investment opportunities within and outside the framework of the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Partnership
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Update on the available projects
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Joint projects: what can a U.S. partner and a local partner offer on a joint project
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The current legal and regulatory regime and the available legal instruments (PSAs, concessions, PPP); potential for legislative and regulatory improvements
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The resurgence of nuclear energy to ensure energy security and supply resilience in Europe and beyond: new and existing technologies, new and constant policy objectives, challenges during the ongoing war and occupation
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Foreign investment protection and planning; prevention and mitigation of investment disputes with the State and state-owned enterprises
Moderator:
Maria Kostytska, Partner, K&L Gates
Speakers:
Jay Ibrahim, President, Sustainable Technology Solutions, KBR
Matthew Murray, Chair of the Board of Advisors, Velta Holdings US, Inc
Amb. Geoffrey Pyatt, Chair of the International Advisory Board, DTEK; Senior Managing Director, Energy and Critical Minerals Practice, McLarty Associates
Katie Strangis, Vice President, Government
& International Affairs, Westinghouse
Jonathan Taylor, Associate General Counsel, Private Equity & Investment Funds, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
3:45 – 4:00 PM
Networking Coffee Break
4:00 – 5:00 PM
Panel Three: Reconstruction and Development: On the Road to the Ukraine Recovery Conference – URC 2026 in Gdańsk
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URC 2026 in Gdańsk: Outline of the Program and Key Dimensions; U.S. Private Sector Engagement Opportunities
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U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund (URIF) - an innovative bespoke mechanism; key sectors in URIF’s investment portfolio; latest developments and deployment of equity investments in 2026
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Bankability and financing – co-investment with IFIs and crowding in private capital
Moderator:
Irina Paliashvili, President & CEO, U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC)
Speakers:
Ihor Baranetskyi, Minister-Counsellor (Economic Issues), Embassy of Ukraine in the USA
Bartosz Folusiak, Head of the Economic Section, Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Washington, D.C.
Lev Holubec, Consulting Solutions, Partner, Co-Leader, Rebuild Ukraine Global Task Force, PwC
Agnes Pawelkowska, Senior International Trade Specialist,
Office of Eastern Europe and Eurasia, U.S. Department of Commerce
Vladyslav Rashkovan, Alternate Executive Director and Board Member, International Monetary Fund
Zain Shamim, Director, Private Equity, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
5:00 – 5:20 PM
Closing Remarks
Charles H. Camp, Secretary-Treasurer, U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC); President, Law Offices of Charles H. Camp, P.C.
Guillermo Christensen, Partner, K&L Gates
Amb. John Herbst, Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine; Senior Director, Eurasia Center, Atlantic Council
5:20 – 7:30 PM
Rooftop Cocktail Reception