Transport ministers from both countries have signed a joint action plan to help rebuild Ukraine’s transport network. The signing by UK transport secretary Grant Shapps and his counterpart at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Oleksandr Kubrakov, followed a presentation from Ukrainian officials on the impact of the war to their train network, roads and bridges.
UK transport infrastructure organisation can register their interest in joining the UK-Ukrainian transport partnership (link to UK government website opens in new tab).
Shapps also outlined more detail about the US$11.8 million Ukrainian Railways support package, previously announced at the G7 Summit. This will buy bridge repair and tunnel lining equipment, key hand tools and more than 120 shipping containers.
Shapps said: “It’s great to meet with the Ukrainian infrastructure minister today and offer the UK’s expertise and resource to help them rebuild and get its people get moving again in the face of this brutal conflict.
“In the UK we have some of the best transport experts in the world and sharing this with Ukraine will not only help them rebuild – but will boost the profile of UK businesses on a global scale."
Earlier this year, the UK assumed presidency of the International Transport Forum (ITF) and committed to bring global partners together in solidarity against the invasion of Ukraine. Under the UK presidency the ITF will launch new research into the impact of the war on transport and will share policy advice on the sustainable reconstruction of its infrastructure.
Kubrakov said: “The fate of war is decided not only on the battlefield. Ukraine needs a strong economy and steadily operating infrastructure. Thanks to today’s agreements, we expect to receive high-quality expertise from leading British companies and institutes to restore Ukrainian infrastructure.”
