Canada opposes Russia's return to G7, vows to 'stand its ground,' ambassador says
"Canada is not ready for a change in the membership of the G7 and is standing its ground," Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine Natalka Cmoc said.
Dominic Culverwell
Articles
Exploitation or opportunity? Ukrainian business sees potential in Trump resource deal — if done right
Within weeks of U.S. President Donald Trump saying he wanted to do a deal with Kyiv on its “rare earths and other things,” it became clear the U.S. wasn’t just interested in Ukraine’s critical minerals and rare earth elements. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited
Russia's growing shadow fleet sends a dangerous signal, expert warns
Russia has resorted to a "shadow fleet" to transport its oil and gas to get around Western sanctions and price caps. The Kyiv Independent spoke with Elisabeth Braw, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's Transatlantic Security Initiative, to find out what options the West has and how dangerous the shadow fleet actually is.
Ukraine’s steel sector looks abroad after loss of critical Donbas coal mine
Ukraine’s steel producers are now looking abroad to stay alive after the closure of the country's last operating coking coal mine in Pokrovsk last month. Miners were working up until Jan. 13 when the Metinvest Group, the mine’s owner, halted production completely and evacuated employees as Russian troops
Why does Trump want Ukraine’s ‘rare earths’?
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Feb. 3 he was looking to cut a deal with Ukraine by giving the war-torn country weapons and aid in return for its “rare earths and other things.” But what exactly did Trump mean and what does Ukraine have to offer to the U.S?
Trump wants $500 billion of Ukraine’s ‘rare earths’ — What are these critical minerals?
President Donald Trump declared on Feb. 3 that he was looking to "do a deal with Ukraine" by giving the war-torn country weapons and aid in return for its "rare earths." "They're going to secure what we're giving them with their rare earths and other things," Trump told reporters in
Ukraine's arms procurement chief asks Zelensky to 'stop the destruction' of the agency
“Further delays threaten critically important supplies to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and destroy the trust of donors and partners,” Bezrukova said.
Ukraine's Defense Procurement Agency says Bezrukova is still director after her name disappeared from state register
Maryna Bezrukova has overturned the decision to remove her name from the state enterprise register as director of the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA), the agency said on Jan. 30.
‘An opportunity, not a burden:’ Ukraine House Davos’s message for world leaders, investors
Over the last week, Ukraine House Davos opened its doors to world leaders and investors for the sixth year in a row during the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. Ukraine House this year was adorned with the slogan “Your Country First, Win With Us.” The message set the tone for
Defense Minister Umerov dismisses top official who stood up to him
Ukraine’s lengthy efforts to clean up its weapons procurement are in danger of being unwound as the Defense Ministry strangleholds the Defense Procurement Agency, say anti-corruption activists and lawmakers. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on Jan. 24 that he would not renew the contract of Maryna Bezrukova, the head
How Trump could use sanctions in negotiations with Russia
In the run-up to his departure from the White House, President Joe Biden has slapped a number of major new sanctions on Russia’s financial systems and energy sector. The U.S. originally threatened Russia with “the mother of all sanctions” as Moscow prepared to invade Ukraine in February 2022.
Russia’s gas sector is running out of options after end of transit deal
Ukraine’s decision to end the gas transit deal with Russian energy giant Gazprom has been hailed by President Volodymyr Zelensky as one of Moscow’s biggest defeats. "When (Russian President) Vladimir Putin was handed power in Russia over 25 years ago, the annual gas pumping through Ukraine to Europe
EU won't be impacted by end of Russian gas transit deal with Ukraine, Deutsche Welle reports
European infrastructure allows for the flow of gas from other countries, a European Commission representative said.
5 high-end Ukrainian fashion brands you should know
Editor’s note: This article is part of a series of profiles highlighting successful Ukrainian startups and businesses. The series is funded by the regional investment fund Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF) and created in partnership with Spend With Ukraine, a non-profit organization that launched a platform to showcase businesses
Ukrainian publishing house Osnovy wants to 'fill gap caused by 70 years of Soviet rule'
Editor’s note: This article is part of a series of profiles highlighting successful Ukrainian startups and businesses. The series is funded by the regional investment fund Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF) and created in partnership with Spend With Ukraine, a non-profit organization that launched a platform to showcase businesses
Frozen Russian assets face uncertain future under Trump
There are some $4-5 billion of frozen Russian assets in the U.S. and it will be up to President-elect Donald Trump to decide what to do with them when he takes office in January 2025. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Western nations froze around $300 billion of
Ukraine's small towns see unexpected attention from a US entrepreneur
When Chicagoan Chris Exline decided to expand his furniture rental company to Ukraine, he did not expect to relocate his life to a small town of 20,000 people in Ternopil Oblast. The businessman and CEO of Home Essentials initially planned to rent furniture to expats and organizations flooding in
Ukraine needs ‘fast and focused’ help with energy security, ERBD Ukraine head says
Arvid Tuerkner’s first winter in charge of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Ukraine comes with a daunting task: swiftly mobilize investment into energy companies crippled by two years of Russian attacks. Russia began targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in late 2022 and has since then pounded
General Staff: Russia has lost 708,890 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,350 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
American AI company Vantiq launches project to develop smart cities in Ukraine
The memorandum of understanding will establish over 100 industrial parks across Ukraine, impacting the lives of 2.5 million citizens, and helping create “hyper-modern” cities.
World's largest business organization cuts arbitration costs to boost foreign investment in Ukraine’s reconstruction
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), will lower the costs of its arbitration court for foreign investors involved in Ukraine's reconstruction projects to encourage much-needed investment.
No Azeri gas deal currently on table to maintain flows via Ukraine, Naftogaz CEO says
No deal is currently on the table between Europe and Azerbaijan to keep gas flowing through Ukraine once a transit deal with Russia expires at the end of the year, despite reports a contract was nearing, CEO of Ukrainian state-owned oil and gas giant Naftogaz said.
Ukraine expected to reopen one airport by end of January 2025
President Volodymyr Zelensky insists that Boryspil International Airport be opened first.
Ukrainian PM hopes for 'clear and quick' steps by Trump on Ukraine
"We understand that the U.S.'s core value is the protection of democracy, the protection of democratic values. This remains unchanged, regardless of the elections," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal commented.
Global entrepreneur organization Endeavor launches first Ukraine office to boost growth amid war
The New York-based global entrepreneur network Endeavor has opened its first office in Ukraine, signaling confidence in the country’s business potential.
Anti-money laundering watchdog refuses to blacklist Russia as Moscow cozies up to Iran, North Korea
After days of discussions, the world’s leading anti-money laundering watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), opted last week not to blacklist Russia despite efforts from Kyiv to sway members to do so over the Kremlin’s increasingly closer ties with blacklisted North Korea and Iran. The FATF, which
'Not waiting until the war is over' – Foreign investment keeps growing in Ukraine
Ukraine is still far from an investor's paradise, but increasingly valuable business deals are being signed in the war-torn country this year. In the first nine months of 2024, there were 36 Ukrainian mergers and acquisitions (M&As) with a total estimated value of $643 million, according to a new
Puzzle company Frisson helps Ukrainians escape wartime reality
Editor’s note: This article is part of a series of profiles highlighting successful Ukrainian startups and businesses. The series is funded by the regional investment fund Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF) and created in partnership with Spend With Ukraine, a non-profit organization that launched a platform to showcase businesses
Russia’s war economy could be boosted by Middle East conflict, experts say
Saudi Arabia’s planned oil production hike may not break Russia’s petro-export-fueled economy, but escalations between Israel and Iran could be a gold rush for Moscow. Since late 2022, the OPEC oil cartel, of which Russia is a member, has withheld oil production and exports to prevent a surplus
Serbia makes deal with Gazprom for extra 400 million cubic meters of gas this winter
Dusan Bajatovic, CEO of the Serbian state-owned company Srbijagas, came to an agreement with Alexey Miller, CEO of Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom, and expects Russian gas supplies to reach 400 million cubic meters this winter.
Russia may have moved MiG-31 jets to Belarus to evade Ukrainian strikes
Editor's Note: This story was updated on Oct. 13 after the monitoring group Hajun reported that the two MiG-31 jets had likely returned to Russia. Two Russian MiG-31K jets were transferred to Belarus this week, potentially signaling Russia’s efforts to protect its warplanes amid increasing Ukrainian strikes on Russian
Oil depot burning in occupied Luhansk Oblast after Ukrainian strike, General Staff says
Ukrainian troops in cooperation with the intelligence service (HUR) struck a depot containing oil and petroleum products used by the Russian military near the town of Rovenky, Luhansk Oblast.
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