Ukraine News Updates - July 17, 2025
Ukraine, World Bank Start PREPARE Ukraine Program
Ukraine and the World Bank have launched the five-year, $200 million PREPARE Ukraine program to finance the preparation of public reconstruction projects, aiming to meet international investor standards and speed up rebuilding. The initiative, coordinated by Ukraine’s PPP Agency and Ministry of Economy, will allocate an initial $44.3 million donor grant for portfolio development and technical support, with the first tranche available from August 2025.
Ukraine Launches K4 Grants for AI Defense Startups:
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has launched the K4 Startup Studio program to support military AI startups, aiming to strengthen battlefield capabilities. Backed by Germany’s defense ministry and BRDO, the program will select up to 10 teams, with four receiving $250,000 grants each. Startups will receive expert mentorship, undergo field testing with the military, and benefit from a structured accelerator model that connects them to end users and potential investors. Applications are open until August 15, 2025.
Tencore Raises $3.7M for Ground Robotics Expansion
Ukrainian defense robotics company Tencore raised $3.74 million from U.S.-Ukrainian investment group MITS Capital, marking one of the largest investments in Ukraine’s defense tech sector since 2022. The funding, announced at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, will support increased production and R&D of the TerMIT unmanned ground vehicle, which meets NATO standards and is actively used on the front lines. The deal was facilitated under Ukraine’s Diia.City legal framework, enabling direct international investment in local defense firms.
Ukraine, U.S. Launch Joint Defense Chemical Venture
Ukraine’s state defense company and U.S. firm D&M Holding will create a joint venture in the United States to manufacture specialty chemicals needed for ammunition production. The project aims to address shortages in Ukraine’s defense sector and increase supply security, reducing reliance on imports.
OECD Assesses Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Progress
The OECD’s latest review under its Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan finds Ukraine has made substantive progress across nine anti-corruption areas, including policy development, whistleblower protection, and specialized agencies. High ratings were recorded for policy and whistleblower reforms, with areas such as asset declaration and business integrity also showing improvement.
Ukraine Secures €1.2B Energy Deals at URC
At the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025, Ukraine signed over €1.2 billion in new energy agreements focused on nuclear, hydro, renewables, and gas. More than 30 deals with international partners aim to strengthen energy security, support infrastructure restoration, and deepen integration with the European energy market. Donors also pledged €200 million for the recovery of critical infrastructure.
EU Allocates €600M for Ukraine Recovery
The EU and European Investment Bank announced nearly €600 million in new loans and guarantees for Ukraine to restore energy, transport, and business infrastructure. The package supports hydropower, heating, roads, border crossings, and small businesses, while ten EU states join an export credit facility to promote trade with Ukraine.