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Zelenskyy will go to Turkey for talks with Putin in person on May 15.

Today’s News

Tuesday, May 13

Zelenskyy will go to Turkey for talks with Putin in person on May 15. President Zelenskyy stated that he is ready to personally meet with Vladimir Putin in Turkey. He anticipates a ceasefire from Russia and will personally wait for Putin in Istanbul on May 15. Acco...

Macron, Merz, Starmer, and Tusk arrived in Kyiv on May 10; together with Trump, they have called for Russia to agree to a complete ceasefire.

Monday, May 12

Macron, Merz, Starmer, and Tusk arrived in Kyiv on May 10; together with Trump, they have called...

Ukraine ratified the mineral agreement with the US: What do we need to know about the partnership?

Friday, May 9

Ukraine ratified the mineral agreement with the US: What do we need to know about the partnership?

Russia and Ukraine exchanged airstrikes against each other ahead of the anniversary of victory day in World War II.

Thursday, May 8

Russia and Ukraine exchanged airstrikes against each other ahead of the anniversary of victory...

Trump plans to use oil prices and the Ukrainian mineral deal to pressure Putin into accepting peace.

Wednesday, May 7

Trump plans to use oil prices and the Ukrainian mineral deal to pressure Putin into accepting...

Morning Economic Digest

Straight, factual, timely and investable business news and economic trends from Ukraine, Europe’s next Frontier Economy.

Today’s News

Tuesday, May 13

The EU's top diplomat and Western analysts believe Putin is

The EU's top diplomat and Western analysts believe Putin is "playing games" regarding the peace talks. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas accused Russia of “playing games” related to peace negotiations and called for increased pressure on Moscow, which attacked Ukraine again on the night o...

Ukraine expects the mineral deal with the US to be fully operational within a few weeks and that it will help to ensure national security.

Ukraine expects the mineral deal with the US to be fully operational within a few weeks and that it will help to ensure national security. Through this agreement, Ukraine has finally become not just a recipient of support but a full-fledged US partner, noted the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, adding that t...

The European Commission has finalized its initial contracts for investments in Ukraine's defense sector,

The European Commission has finalized its initial contracts for investments in Ukraine's defense sector, with the EU allocating €900M for weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine sourced from profits generated by frozen Russian assets. Deputy Secretary General of the EU Foreign Affairs Service Charles Fri...

The EU and Ukraine have established a new working group to enhance defense cooperation.

The EU and Ukraine have established a new working group to enhance defense cooperation. Deputy Secretary-General of the EU External Action Service Charles Fries stated that this initiative aims to develop practical solutions for defense-industrial collaboration. He emphasized that the EU...

The EU is considering the introduction of three sanction packages targeting Russia.

The EU is considering the introduction of three sanction packages targeting Russia. The first package, labeled the 17th, will target tankers, nations aiding Russia in bypassing restrictions, and firms in the Russian military-industrial sector. The second package focuses on combating ...

How is the Ukrainian retail sector evolving during the war?

How is the Ukrainian retail sector evolving during the war? Andriy Zhuk, Chairman of the Retailers Association of Ukraine (RAU), observed that last year pharmacy retail was the most actively developing segment, accounting for 45% of all new retail locations. N...

Global VC investment breaks records thanks to AI.

Global VC investment breaks records thanks to AI. In the first quarter of the year, global venture capital investment reached $126.3B, the highest in 11 quarters, according to the KPMG Q1’25 Venture Pulse Report. The main driver is artificial i...

Prices for agricultural land in different regions of Ukraine vary by more than 900%.

Prices for agricultural land in different regions of Ukraine vary by more than 900%. At the end of April, the average cost of a hectare of land in Ukraine was ₴86,655 ($2,090), which is over ₴32,000 ($772) higher than a month earlier (+59%). This marks the highest figure since the beg...

Ukrainian employers have pinpointed the most sought-after professions and voiced concerns regarding job seekers' unrealistic salary expectations.

Ukrainian employers have pinpointed the most sought-after professions and voiced concerns regarding job seekers' unrealistic salary expectations. A labor market study reveals that the most in-demand roles largely consist of blue-collar specialties. The top professions listed include agricultural tractor driver, mechanic-repairman, electric and ...

Ukrainian startups can secure significant investment, with a focus on available funding avenues.

Ukrainian startups can secure significant investment, with a focus on available funding avenues. The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a central initiative within the Horizon Europe framework established by the European Commission, designed to identify, develop, and scale innovative technologi...

New German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has promised to continue military support for Ukraine,

New German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has promised to continue military support for Ukraine, coordinating Germany’s efforts with European partners and the US. “We are doing this in order to put an end to this war,” he said, adding that discussions on specific arms supplies w...

Western partners consider a new system of security guarantees for Ukraine.

Western partners consider a new system of security guarantees for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron outlined two main methods for deterring Russia following the commencement of a ceasefire in Ukraine. The first echelon of defense will be the Ukrainian military itself...

The US, Europe, and Ukraine have developed a list of 22 conditions for ending the war to submit to Putin.

The US, Europe, and Ukraine have developed a list of 22 conditions for ending the war to submit to Putin. The document includes a 30-day ceasefire and takes into account the Kremlin’s demand that the US bar Ukraine’s accession to NATO. The proposals are to be submitted to Putin by the US Presi...

Russia has agreed to direct talks in Istanbul to end the war but has conditions.

Russia has agreed to direct talks in Istanbul to end the war but has conditions. On May 11, Vladimir Putin proposed holding direct peace talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul. According to him, the talks should take place without preconditions and will be aimed at “achiev...

Ukraine's path to NATO and the EU: What obstacles exist and how will they be overcome?

Ukraine's path to NATO and the EU: What obstacles exist and how will they be overcome? The decision on the irreversibility of Ukraine’s path to NATO was made by the allies; the question is when the discussion will resume, said Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic I...

The European Union allocates €1.9B for Ukrainian military support.

The European Union allocates €1.9B for Ukrainian military support. During their visit to Lviv, top European diplomats promised to provide Ukraine with additional military support totaling nearly €1.9B, with €1B being allocated to purchase weapons directly from Ukrain...

The West is preparing sanctions for a new blow against the Russian economy.

The West is preparing sanctions for a new blow against the Russian economy. Finland has proposed imposing duties on all imports from Russia to the EU, which will operate simultaneously with existing sanctions. This step will not require unanimity from all member states. The p...

Only 25% of businesses in Ukraine plan for active growth in 2025.

Only 25% of businesses in Ukraine plan for active growth in 2025. According to a study, 20% of companies plan to actively hire employees, while 39% will limit themselves to selective recruitment, and 34% will not change their personnel levels. At the same time, 7% o...

April's inflation in Ukraine exceeded 15% for the first time in two years.

April's inflation in Ukraine exceeded 15% for the first time in two years. In April 2025, inflation in the consumer market was 0.7%. In annual terms, price growth accelerated to 15.1%, compared to 14.6% in March, as reported by the State Statistics Service. Prices for food p...

A US investment company wants to buy a stake in the pipeline through which Russia exports gas to the EU.

A US investment company wants to buy a stake in the pipeline through which Russia exports gas to the EU. American Elliott Investment Management, one of the most influential investment companies in the world, is negotiating to buy a stake in a package of infrastructure assets, including the pipeline throu...

The NBU has eased currency restrictions to encourage foreign investment.

The NBU has eased currency restrictions to encourage foreign investment. The National Bank has launched a “stimulating currency liberalization” aimed at attracting foreign capital to Ukraine. Its essence is to create a mechanism that will encourage foreign inve...

Monday, May 12

Macron, Merz, Starmer, and Tusk arrived in Kyiv on May 10; together with Trump, they have called for Russia to agree to a complete ceasefire.

Macron, Merz, Starmer, and Tusk arrived in Kyiv on May 10; together with Trump, they have called for Russia to agree to a complete ceasefire. On Saturday May 10, in preparation for a meeting of the coalition of the willing, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and German C...

New German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has promised to continue military support for Ukraine,

New German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has promised to continue military support for Ukraine, coordinating Germany’s efforts with European partners and the US. “We are doing this in order to put an end to this war,” he said, adding that discussions on specific arms supplies w...

Western partners consider a new system of security guarantees for Ukraine.

Western partners consider a new system of security guarantees for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron outlined two main methods for deterring Russia following the commencement of a ceasefire in Ukraine. The first echelon of defense will be the Ukrainian military itself...

The US, Europe, and Ukraine have developed a list of 22 conditions for ending the war to submit to Putin.

The US, Europe, and Ukraine have developed a list of 22 conditions for ending the war to submit to Putin. The document includes a 30-day ceasefire and takes into account the Kremlin’s demand that the US bar Ukraine’s accession to NATO. The proposals are to be submitted to Putin by the US Presi...

Russia has agreed to direct talks in Istanbul to end the war but has conditions.

Russia has agreed to direct talks in Istanbul to end the war but has conditions. On May 11, Vladimir Putin proposed holding direct peace talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul. According to him, the talks should take place without preconditions and will be aimed at “achiev...

Ukraine’s path to NATO and the EU: What obstacles exist and how will they be overcome?

Ukraine’s path to NATO and the EU: What obstacles exist and how will they be overcome? The decision on the irreversibility of Ukraine’s path to NATO was made by the allies; the question is when the discussion will resume, said Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic I...

The European Union allocates €1.9B for Ukrainian military support.

The European Union allocates €1.9B for Ukrainian military support. During their visit to Lviv, top European diplomats promised to provide Ukraine with additional military support totaling nearly €1.9B, with €1B being allocated to purchase weapons directly from Ukrain...

The West is preparing sanctions for a new blow against the Russian economy.

The West is preparing sanctions for a new blow against the Russian economy. Finland has proposed imposing duties on all imports from Russia to the EU, which will operate simultaneously with existing sanctions. This step will not require unanimity from all member states. The p...

Only 25% of businesses in Ukraine plan for active growth in 2025.

Only 25% of businesses in Ukraine plan for active growth in 2025. According to a study, 20% of companies plan to actively hire employees, while 39% will limit themselves to selective recruitment, and 34% will not change their personnel levels. At the same time, 7% o...

April’s inflation in Ukraine exceeded 15% for the first time in two years.

April’s inflation in Ukraine exceeded 15% for the first time in two years. In April 2025, inflation in the consumer market was 0.7%. In annual terms, price growth accelerated to 15.1%, compared to 14.6% in March, as reported by the State Statistics Service. Prices for food p...

A US investment company wants to buy a stake in the pipeline through which Russia exports gas to the EU.

A US investment company wants to buy a stake in the pipeline through which Russia exports gas to the EU. American Elliott Investment Management, one of the most influential investment companies in the world, is negotiating to buy a stake in a package of infrastructure assets, including the pipeline throu...

The NBU has eased currency restrictions to encourage foreign investment.

The NBU has eased currency restrictions to encourage foreign investment. The National Bank has launched a “stimulating currency liberalization” aimed at attracting foreign capital to Ukraine. Its essence is to create a mechanism that will encourage foreign inve...

Friday, May 9

Ukraine ratified the mineral agreement with the US: What do we need to know about the partnership?

Ukraine ratified the mineral agreement with the US: What do we need to know about the partnership? The first contribution will come from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). According to Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine has not yet signed two other agr...

Russia declared a three-day “truce” but has continued to attack Ukraine.

Russia declared a three-day “truce” but has continued to attack Ukraine. At midnight on May 8, Russia announced the start of a three-day truce with Ukraine, lasting from May 8 to midnight on May 11, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II. Howeve...

The US and Russia discuss options for restoring Russian gas supplies to Europe.

The US and Russia discuss options for restoring Russian gas supplies to Europe. According to Reuters, restoring Russia’s role in the European gas market is viewed as a potential component of a peace deal with Putin, and US involvement in this process could alleviate politic...

European exports to Ukraine are growing faster than imports of Ukrainian goods.

European exports to Ukraine are growing faster than imports of Ukrainian goods. Last year, the European Union exported goods valued at €42.8B to Ukraine and imported €24.5B, resulting in a trade surplus of €18.3B, according to Eurostat data. Compared to 2023, exports and imports ...

Defense experts outline possible conditions for the export of Ukrainian defense industry products.

Defense experts outline possible conditions for the export of Ukrainian defense industry products. Ihor Fomenko, the General Director of the Defense Division of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine, stated that several options for exporting Ukrainian defense products are currently being considere...

The EC plans to open all clusters in Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations.

The EC plans to open all clusters in Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations. The European Commission is optimistic about the future of membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and hopes to open all six negotiation clusters this year, said Gert Jan Koopman, Head of the ...

Ukrainian farmers are investing in orchards and exporting products to the EU and the Middle East.

Ukrainian farmers are investing in orchards and exporting products to the EU and the Middle East. The Dniester Gardens company plans to plant 30 hectares of apricot trees in Bukovyna in 2025. This enterprise has been operating for 15 years and grows agricultural products on an area of 338 hectares...

The Ministry of Agrarian Policy has named new promising crops for Ukrainian farmers.

The Ministry of Agrarian Policy has named new promising crops for Ukrainian farmers. Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy Taras Vysotsky stated that beginning this year, the cultivation of industrial hemp in Ukraine has been entirely deregulated. Now, anyone registered in the relevant r...

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