Excursions in Ukraine

31/10/2024

Since 2022, Russians have launched over 25,000 missiles and Shahed drones onto the people of Ukraine.

For context, the US has only 14,300 McDonald's, yet a land area 9 times larger.

This is life in Ukraine.

Kyiv Post

31/10/2024

Key Advantages for Foreign Entrepreneurs in Post-War Ukraine

Lesson Objective: The objective of this lesson is to provide foreign entrepreneurs with a comprehensive understanding of the unique advantages of investing in post-war Ukraine. By the end of the lesson, participants should be able to identify key factors that make Ukraine a promising destination for business, including investment opportunities across sectors, competitive labor advantages, strategic geographic location, pro-business reforms, and international support initiatives.

Introduction

Post-war Ukraine is fast emerging as one of the most promising destinations for foreign entrepreneurs. While the challenges of rebuilding a nation can be immense, they also present opportunities that rarely arise in more developed economies. For foreign investors and business leaders, entering the Ukrainian market now offers not only the chance to contribute to the country's recovery but also to secure a foothold in a nation primed for growth and development.

This lesson will outline the key advantages that Ukraine currently holds for foreign entrepreneurs, focusing on the business environment, investment incentives, access to talent, and strategic positioning within Europe.

1. An Abundance of Investment Opportunities

The post-war reconstruction of Ukraine has created numerous opportunities across various industries. From infrastructure and construction to information technology and energy, nearly every sector of the economy needs investment and innovation. The Ukrainian government, along with international bodies, has established a framework to facilitate investment in these high-priority areas. Specific reconstruction projects offer attractive options for foreign entrepreneurs, including:
Infrastructure: Roads, railways, and public transportation systems need extensive repairs and modernization, with investment incentives targeting foreign companies in construction and civil engineering.
Renewable Energy: With its ample natural resources, Ukraine is moving toward renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro. Foreign businesses specializing in clean energy technology can find supportive legislation and financial incentives.
Digital Economy: Ukraine has a strong digital economy sector, driven by a highly skilled IT workforce. Entrepreneurs entering this field benefit from a lower cost of labor than in most Western markets.
Each of these sectors benefits from favorable government policies and international financial support, aimed at attracting global entrepreneurs committed to rebuilding and advancing the Ukrainian economy.

2. Competitive Labor Market with High-Quality Talent

Ukraine is home to a talented, well-educated, and multilingual workforce. The country has a particularly strong reputation in the fields of information technology, engineering, and manufacturing. A large segment of the Ukrainian workforce possesses advanced technical skills, especially in software development, making Ukraine an attractive destination for tech-driven businesses. Many Ukrainian professionals are also proficient in English and other major languages, making communication straightforward for foreign entrepreneurs.

Additionally, the average labor costs in Ukraine are competitive, often lower than in Western Europe and North America. This competitive advantage allows foreign businesses to optimize operational costs while benefiting from a highly skilled labor pool. By hiring local talent, foreign businesses not only reduce expenses but also foster job creation and economic stability, strengthening their brand reputation in the region.

3. Strategic Geographic Position within Europe

Ukraine’s location offers significant logistical advantages for businesses that aim to serve both European and Asian markets. Sharing borders with EU countries, Ukraine provides a gateway to a market of over 500 million consumers. Its Black Sea ports facilitate trade access to Southeast Europe, the Middle East, and beyond, making it a natural hub for trade and logistics. With advancements in infrastructure, Ukraine’s strategic position could serve as a springboard for foreign businesses looking to expand into surrounding markets.

Ukraine’s Association Agreement with the EU has also simplified trade regulations, creating a more seamless trading environment for foreign companies. This agreement provides Ukrainian-made goods with preferential access to the European market, which can be highly beneficial for foreign businesses involved in production, manufacturing, and export.

4. Pro-Business Reforms and Incentives

The Ukrainian government has introduced a series of reforms aimed at improving the business climate, enhancing transparency, and protecting foreign investment. These reforms include streamlined business registration procedures, tax incentives, and a commitment to improving legal protections for foreign investors.

Streamlined Business Registration: The process of registering a business in Ukraine has been simplified, with digital portals and one-stop-shop services available to make registration faster and more efficient.
Tax Benefits: Specific tax incentives are available to foreign investors in targeted sectors, such as reduced corporate tax rates, VAT exemptions, and customs duty reductions.
Investment Protection: The government has made strides in providing legal protection and security for foreign investments. Bilateral investment treaties with various countries offer additional security and mechanisms for dispute resolution.
The government’s commitment to creating a stable, investor-friendly environment makes it easier for foreign entrepreneurs to establish and grow their businesses in Ukraine.

5. Access to International Support and Partnerships

Ukraine’s recovery has received substantial backing from international partners, including the European Union, the United States, and organizations such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. This support not only provides critical funding for reconstruction projects but also establishes a framework for international collaboration, encouraging foreign businesses to enter the Ukrainian market. Programs like Advantage Ukraine—a government-backed online platform—make it easier for foreign investors to identify viable projects and secure partnerships with local businesses.

In addition, international organizations are providing grants and low-interest loans to foreign investors engaged in Ukraine’s rebuilding. This support significantly lowers financial barriers to entry and reduces risks, making Ukraine an attractive destination for those willing to invest in the nation’s future.

Sources:

World Bank. (2023). Ukraine’s Economic Update.
Ministry of Economy of Ukraine. (2024). Advantage Ukraine: Investment Projects and Opportunities.
European Business Association. (2023). Ukraine’s Labor Market Overview.
International Monetary Fund. (2024). Post-War Reconstruction in Ukraine.
European Commission. (2023). EU-Ukraine Association Agreement: Trade and Cooperation.

30/10/2024

“Ukraine has received only 10% of the aid package approved by the U.S. Congress in 2024. This isn’t funny. The issue isn’t money, it’s bureaucracy and logistics,” Zelensky said.
KyivPost@KyivPost

27/10/2024

The Ukrainian language has been banned 134 times

25/10/2024

National Bank of Ukraine - discount rate 13%; Central Bank of Russia - discount rate 21%

25/10/2024

Russia/Ukraine: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on reports of the DPRK sending troops to Russia

The European Union is deeply alarmed by reports that the DPRK is sending troops to participate in Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. This would constitute a serious breach of international law, including the most fundamental principles of the UN Charter. It would be a unilateral hostile act by the DPRK with serious consequences for European and global peace and security. This development also illustrates once again how Russia is spreading instability and escalation in the region and across the globe.

The European Union strongly condemns the deepening military cooperation and arms transfers between the DPRK and Russia, which flagrantly violate multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. The EU urges the DPRK to stop providing support to Russia’s illegal war efforts.

Russia’s deepening military cooperation with the DPRK sends a clear message: despite its stated readiness to negotiate, Russia is not sincerely interested in a just, comprehensive and lasting peace. On the contrary, Russia is escalating and desperately seeking any help for its war, including from actors that are severely disrupting global peace and security.

In addition, with its disturbing shift of position on the denuclearisation of the DPRK, as expressed by Foreign Minister Lavrov, Russia relinquishes its key obligations from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) including to prevent nuclear proliferation and violates multiple UN Security Council resolutions adopted with Russia's support. By doing so, Russia compromises its responsibilities as a permanent member of the Security Council and as a UN member state. The DPRK cannot and will never have the status of a nuclear weapon State in accordance with the NPT.

The DPRK's ongoing support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine illustrates how closely linked European security is to that of the Indo-Pacific. The European Union will coordinate with international partners on the matter, including on responses.

24/10/2024

Eyes Wide Shut: A Global Farce Unfolding

This would be laughable if it weren’t so tragic. Putin’s supposed global isolation? A complete failure. The recent BRICS meeting in Kazan, legitimized by none other than the head of the UN and bolstered by China’s president, showcased one thing to the world: the spinelessness of Western policy. A jubilant Putin now brazenly announces his intent to reshape the global legal order, while the summit's declaration makes a mockery of reality—mentioning Ukraine and the UN Charter as if Ukraine had attacked Russia. It's a twisted reflection from Putin's world of crooked mirrors.

And how does the West respond? Eyes wide shut. "We don’t view BRICS as some sort of threat," a White House spokesperson cheerfully declares. Brilliant. A gathering of dictators plotting to rewrite global norms, strategizing on how to dodge sanctions, and yet... no threat?

But it gets worse. Enter Diamond Kirby, shrugging off concerns about North Korean soldiers being sent to Russia. He doesn’t see the writing on the wall, apparently. We can save him the trouble of wondering: those North Korean troops are obviously headed to pick wildflowers, not to aid Russia in its war of aggression. Right?

In this Kafkaesque geopolitical landscape, the steadfastness of two leaders stands out: Erdogan and Zelenskyy. Despite attending the BRICS summit, Erdogan remains Erdogan. He doubled tariffs on Russian oil tankers and blocked the export of dozens of goods to Russia. Zelenskyy, ever sharp, put forth a new slogan that cuts to the heart of the issue. A spin on Trump’s infamous slogan, it calls to return Russia to its true historical borders—the ones it’s been so obsessed with as it tries to destroy Ukraine. The slogan? Make Russia Small Again.

Glory to Ukraine!

23/10/2024

https://mfa.gov.ua/en/news/komentar-mzs-shchodo-pidsumkovoyi-deklaraciyi-samitu-briks-u-kazani
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has drawn attention to paragraph 36 of the final declaration of the BRICS summit in Kazan dedicated to Ukraine, in which its participants merely recalled their national positions, their commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, as well as to peaceful settlement and diplomacy.

We believe that this text actually shows that Russia failed to «export» to the BRICS summit participants its neo-imperialist views on changing the world order and global security architecture through its aggression against Ukraine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has drawn attention to paragraph 36 of the final declaration of the BRICS summit in Kazan dedicated to Ukraine, in which its participants merely recalled their national positions, their commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, as well as...

18/10/2024

North Korea is sending 10,000 troops to Ukraine to fight alongside Russian forces?

18/10/2024

Nuclear Turmoil in Brussels: A Wake-Up Call for the World

On October 17, President Zelenskyy, speaking at a press conference in Brussels, made a clear and seemingly straightforward statement: Ukraine has never aimed to create its own nuclear bomb. Yet, in the age of disinformation and conspiracy theories, even the simplest declarations can spiral out of control. Almost immediately, the narrative shifted. Zelenskyy, in the eyes of conspiracy theorists, now "carried a nuclear warhead in each pocket."

It didn’t take long for media outlets to pounce. Germany’s Bild rushed in with its own "sources," claiming Ukraine could develop a nuclear bomb in just two weeks. Russian propaganda, of course, saw an opportunity to muddy the waters even further, asserting that Ukraine already had a bomb. And, to stir the pot, Poland’s Foreign Minister — who had previously suggested providing Ukraine with nuclear weapons for self-defense — added fuel to the fire. Then came the clincher: an old interview with former Russian Prime Minister Poltoranin resurfaced, in which he alleged that Ukraine had 173 unaccounted-for nuclear warheads left over from Soviet times.

Russian state TV leapt at the chance to twist this into a narrative of “Ukrainian nuclear blackmail.” In reality, however, these baseless claims were nothing more than a smokescreen to distract from Russia’s own nuclear threat hanging over Europe and the U.S.

But what President Zelenskyy actually said in Brussels carried far more weight. He reminded the world that among all the nuclear powers who signed the Budapest Memorandum, only Ukraine is now fighting, losing lives, and sacrificing territory. And Ukraine’s choice is clear: either build its own nuclear weapons or secure NATO membership. The President decisively stated that Ukraine had chosen NATO.

The hypothetical question of Ukrainian nuclear weapons is not new. After all, Ukraine holds the sixth-largest reserves of uranium globally and once produced the powerful "Satan" missiles, each capable of carrying 10 nuclear warheads. Is Ukraine capable of restoring these technological chains? Do we have the expertise? I don’t know for certain. But if Western hesitation over NATO membership drags on, it’s not entirely far-fetched that Zelenskyy may one day echo Golda Meir’s words: “Firstly, we do not have nuclear weapons, and secondly, if necessary, we will use them.”

In this nuclear dance of shadows and mirrors, one thing remains crystal clear: Ukraine has made its choice. The West must now make its own.

Glory to Ukraine!

16/10/2024

Zelenskyy’s Peace Plan: A Path to Peace Through Strength

In a stirring speech before the Ukrainian parliament, President Zelenskyy unveiled a strategic plan for peace – one that’s both bold and clear-eyed about the realities Ukraine faces. His message, aimed not only at Ukrainians but at the international community, underlined the gravity of the war and the urgency for collective action. It’s a plan rooted in resilience and foresight, designed not merely to end the war but to secure a lasting peace.

While parts of the plan remain classified, world leaders like Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and even Donald Trump have been briefed. What we know is that it consists of five distinct points: the first geopolitical, the second and third military, the fourth economic, the fifth security – all supplemented by three secret annexes. Each point reflects Ukraine's determination to resist Russian aggression, but Zelenskyy emphasized that success is only possible with the help of international partners.

"Russia isn’t seeking an honest peace. Putin has gone mad with war and will not change," Zelenskyy said in a speech that echoed the frustrations felt by many. "He is too much from the past, too much from yesterday. Together, we must change the circumstances so that Russia is forced to make peace. It’s not about what Putin wants anymore – it’s about what the world demands."

Let’s break down Zelenskyy’s peace plan by its five points:

1. Geopolitical Front: Ukraine in NATO

Zelensky’s plan begins with a foundational geopolitical shift: Ukraine’s entry into NATO. This, he argues, would change the calculus for Putin. It would send a signal to Moscow that the days of Soviet-era spheres of influence are over. Ukraine, as a NATO member, would no longer be a gray zone of uncertainty but a part of the transatlantic alliance. It’s a daring move, but one that Zelenskyy believes could turn the tide by showing Russia that its aggression has backfired.

2. Military Defense: Removing Restrictions, Strengthening Ukraine

The second point is military. The experience of the Kursk operation, where Ukraine’s forces successfully pushed back Russian troops, proved that when Ukraine is fully supported, it can win. But Zelenskyy knows that for this to happen, the restrictions on the use of long-range weapons on Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory and even within Russia’s military infrastructure must be lifted. With the right support – long-range missiles, drones, and other advanced weaponry – Ukraine can defend its land and force Russia into a corner.

3. Containment: A Strategic Deterrent Package

Zelenskyy proposes the deployment of a non-nuclear strategic deterrent on Ukrainian soil, sufficient to counter any future military threats from Russia. The idea is clear: after years of aggression, Ukraine must not only win the current war but also ensure its long-term security. This deterrent package would serve as a shield, keeping Russia at bay for generations to come.

4. Economic Alliance: A Partnership for Resources and Reconstruction

Ukraine is not just a battlefield – it’s a land of incredible resources. Critical metals worth trillions of dollars are concentrated within its borders. Zelenskyy’s plan includes a proposal for a special agreement between Ukraine, the U.S., and the EU to protect, invest in, and share these resources. The message is simple: Ukraine’s future is not just about survival, it’s about prosperity, built with the help of allies who believe in Ukraine’s potential.

5. Security: Ukrainian Forces in Europe

Finally, Zelenskyy envisions a post-war role for Ukraine in Europe’s security framework. If the plan is agreed upon, Ukrainian troops could replace U.S. military units stationed in Europe. It’s a testament to Ukraine’s proven fighting capability and resilience. Ukrainian soldiers, battle-hardened in the fight against Russian aggression, have shown that they can stand firm against one of the world’s largest armies. Post-war, they could become a crucial pillar of Europe’s security, reinforcing the idea that Ukraine is not a victim but a key player in the defense of democracy.

Zelenskyy’s peace plan is not simply a wish list. It’s a roadmap to peace that recognizes the brutal realities of the war while daring to envision a future where Ukraine is safe, sovereign, and prosperous. It’s a plan that requires international solidarity – not just in words but in action. The plan calls on Ukraine’s partners to step up, recognizing that Ukraine’s fight is not just its own; it’s a fight for the values that bind democratic nations.

As Zelenskyy himself pointed out, “Putin won’t change.” But the world can. By supporting Ukraine – through NATO, through military aid, through economic partnerships – the international community can help bring an end to this war on terms that ensure lasting peace, not just for Ukraine but for Europe and beyond. Peace, Zelenskyy argues, must be built through strength. And with the right support, Ukraine can help lead the way.

16/10/2024

Lifelong Learning? What About Lifelong Teaching? If You Agree, Then Educator Is Coming to You

I’ve met so many remarkable people over the years—especially those who’ve reached what society often calls “elderly.” But I’m telling you, sixty really is the new thirty. These individuals are full of energy, sharp minds, and a passion for life that would put many younger folks to shame.

Now, imagine what it’s like when you add decades of teaching experience to that mix. I’ve known many seasoned educators who bring their deep well of knowledge and creative spark to every lesson. And it's not just them—there’s also a wave of young Ph.D.s and experienced teachers from universities, institutes, and colleges who, for various reasons (like the ongoing war, for instance), have been pulled away from the classrooms they love.

And let’s not forget the coaches and instructors who seem to be everywhere these days, sharing their expertise. I admire their passion for spreading knowledge. But I’m here to talk about something different.

I know, I know—the topic of online courses might feel a little overdone by now. With giants like Coursera and Udemy in the game, it can seem like the market is saturated. But here in Kyiv, we’re working on something unique: the Educator platform.

Educator is a new marketplace dedicated to teachers—not coaches, not influencers, not self-styled "experts"—but real, experienced educators. It’s a commercial project, yes, but with a twist. Unlike most platforms, Educator offers 80% of the course revenue to the teachers. That's right, we believe in rewarding those who truly deserve it—the teachers themselves.

The platform is designed specifically for current and former teachers from universities, institutes, and colleges. We want to give these educators a stage to share their expertise, connect with lifelong learners, and teach in a way that fits the evolving demands of today’s world.

So, if you’re a teacher—or you know someone who is—stay tuned. We’re hoping to launch Educator around the New Year (or maybe even sooner!).

Follow our announcements, and let’s keep the spirit of lifelong teaching alive. Because teaching is not just a profession; it’s a lifelong commitment to shaping the future. And now, more than ever, the world needs what you have to offer.