Ukrainian mayors met potential partners in Finland and in Estonia

A delegation of more than 40 decision-makers aiming to revive the Ukrainian economy visited Finland and Estonia 7-11 May 2026. The aim of their visit is to strengthen business between the countries.  The World Bank has estimated that the cost of reconstruction in Ukraine has already exceeded EUR 500 billion.

The main event of the visit, Ukrainian-Finnish Economic Recovery Business Forum on 7 May 2026 was hosted by Economy of Trust Ukraine, Mayors’ Club Ukraine, Sweco, and Business Finland. There were roughly 70 Finnish companies and six Finnish cities participating in the event.

The Ukrainians visites, for example, Ämmässuo waste sorting station, Helen, and Vantaan Energia while visiting several days in Finland. They also met other companies in the construction and energy sectors. Merihaka shelter was one of their most important site visits. See news flash from Reuters, 21 May 2026.

“In many countries, civil refence shelters are simple shrapnel shelters, while in Finland, they are designed to withstand shock waves from explosions, radiation and toxic gases, and you can get out of them even if the building above collapses. In peacetime, the shelters serve as parking garages, storage units and recreational facilities,” says Jyrki Härkki of Business Finland. Among other things, Business Finland will advise Finnish companies about the Ukrainian market and is one of the main organizers of the Forum. 

The delegation continued to Estonia on 11 May 2026. Below you will find photos of events in Helsinki and in Tallinn.

Press release, Business Finland, 7 May 2026