Ukrainian and Turkish businesses have identified several shared priorities for cooperation, including energy, exports, metallurgy, rail transport and reconstruction. The Ukrainian government has expressed its readiness to help remove bureaucratic obstacles and facilitate stronger business ties between the two countries.
These issues were discussed during the Ukrainian-Turkish Business Roundtable held in Istanbul. It was the first meeting between business representatives from the two countries since the Free Trade Agreement entered into force on 1 October 2026.
Both governments are particularly interested in expanding business cooperation to strengthen Ukraine's energy resilience. DTEK and Aksa discussed the supply of transformers and generators for Ukraine's power system, as well as opportunities to localise production in Ukraine.
Restoring gas infrastructure and developing new power generation capacity are also key priorities. Naftogaz has opened its projects to Turkish partners, while Erciyas Holding and BETA Enerji have expressed interest in constructing and restoring infrastructure, including gas pipelines.
Another priority is the modernisation and renewal of Ukraine's railway rolling stock. TÜRASAŞ and Erciyas Holding have proposed supplying rolling stock to Ukraine. Cooperation with Türkiye's state-owned locomotive manufacturing plants will be coordinated at government level.
The Free Trade Agreement also provides Ukrainian industry with broader access to the Turkish market. Metinvest discussed expanding exports of steel and iron ore, with safe navigation in the Black Sea remaining a crucial condition for increasing shipments.
In addition, Turkish companies Erciyas Holding, Dastek Yapı and Vi-za Star İnşaat proposed modular shelters and construction capabilities to support the development of resilient infrastructure in Ukraine.
Türkiye is Ukraine's second-largest export market by value.
In 2025, bilateral trade increased to $7.9 billion, while Ukrainian exports to Türkiye rose by 23% to $2.7 billion.
The two countries share a target of increasing annual bilateral trade to $10 billion.
