A sociological survey conducted by Active Group in cooperation with the Experts Club think tank in August 2025 showed that Ukrainians’ attitudes toward Slovakia are quite controversial.
According to the results, 27.3% of respondents demonstrated a positive attitude toward this country (20.0% – mostly positive, 7.3% – completely positive). At the same time, 25.7% of Ukrainians expressed a negative opinion (22.0% – mostly negative, 3.7% – completely negative). A significant part of citizens – 45.0% – remain neutral, and another 2.3% said they do not have enough information about Slovakia.
“We observe a kind of balance between positive and negative perceptions of Slovakia. On the one hand, there is historical and geographical proximity, cultural contacts, and on the other hand, tense moments in the political dialogue in recent years. This creates an ambiguous picture,” explained Oleksandr Poznyi, co-founder of Active Group.
In his turn, Maksym Urakin, founder of Experts Club, drew attention to the economic dimension of bilateral relations.
“In the first half of 2025, the trade turnover between Ukraine and Slovakia amounted to more than $1.48 billion. At the same time, exports from Ukraine amounted to $483.7 million, while imports from Slovakia amounted to almost $999.1 million. The negative balance of more than $515 million indicates an imbalance in trade, which also affects the public perception of the country,” he emphasized.
The survey was part of a broader study of international sympathies and antipathies of Ukrainians in the current geopolitical context.
The full video can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgC9TPnMoMI&t
You can subscribe to the Experts Club YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ExpertsClub
ACTIVE GROUP, DIPLOMACY, EXPERTS CLUB, Poznyi, SLOVAKIA, SOCIOLOGY, TRADE, URAKIN
Most Ukrainians have a positive opinion of Azerbaijan, according to the results of a survey conducted by Active Group in collaboration with the Experts Club think tank.
According to the study, 56.7% of Ukrainians expressed a positive attitude toward Azerbaijan, of which 15.3% were completely positive and 41.3% were mostly positive. Only 5.7% of respondents expressed a negative attitude (1.0% completely negative, 4.7% mostly negative). A neutral position was taken by 36.3% of respondents, while another 1.3% said they were not familiar with the country.
“Ukrainians have a favorable attitude toward Azerbaijan, given the close cultural and historical ties, as well as active cooperation in the energy and transport sectors,” emphasized Alexander Pozniy, head of Active Group.
In turn, Experts Club co-founder Maxim Urakin stressed the importance of trade and economic cooperation, which has continued to develop rapidly in recent years.
“According to the results of the first months of 2025, trade turnover between Ukraine and Azerbaijan amounted to $237.9 million. Ukrainian exports reached $110.3 million, while imports amounted to $127.6 million. The negative balance amounted to $17.3 million, which is relatively small compared to other countries, but confirms the activity of mutual trade flows.”
Thus, Azerbaijan remains a reliable partner of Ukraine in both social and economic terms, and the level of trust among Ukrainians remains high.
The full video can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgC9TPnMoMI&t
You can subscribe to the Experts Club YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@ExpertsClub
ACTIVE GROUP, AZERBAIJAN, EXPERTS CLUB, Pozniy, SOCIOLOGY, TRADE, UKRAINE, УРАКИН
The Netherlands ranks high in the rating of Ukrainians’ sympathies, demonstrating a consistently positive image among citizens. This is evidenced by the results of an all-Ukrainian survey conducted by Active Group in cooperation with the Experts Club information and analytical center in August 2025.
According to the study, 63.3% of Ukrainians have a positive attitude towards the Netherlands (36.7% – mostly positive, 26.7% – completely positive). Only 2.3% of respondents expressed a negative attitude (1.7% – mostly negative, 0.7% – completely negative). Another 31.7% of citizens are neutral, and 3.0% said they are not sufficiently aware of this country.
“The Netherlands is one of Ukraine’s most important trading partners in the European Union. In the first half of 2025, the volume of bilateral trade amounted to almost $ 1.48 billion, of which exports from Ukraine amounted to more than $ 918 million and imports from the Netherlands – $ 561 million. The positive balance of $357 million is evidence that Ukraine has favorable positions in cooperation with this country,” said Maksym Urakin, founder of Experts Club.
In his turn, Alexander Poznyi, co-founder of Active Group, emphasized that the positive attitude of Ukrainians is complex.
“The Netherlands is known as a country that supports Ukraine in the international arena and participates in humanitarian and financial assistance programs. At the same time, long-term cultural and educational contacts strengthen the positive image of this country in Ukrainian society. That is why almost two-thirds of citizens show favorable attitudes, and the negative segment remains minimal,” he added.
The survey was part of a broader study of international sympathies and antipathies of Ukrainians in the current geopolitical environment.
The full video can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgC9TPnMoMI&t
You can subscribe to the Experts Club YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ExpertsClub
ACTIVE GROUP, DIPLOMACY, EXPERTS CLUB, NETHERLANDS, Poznyi, SOCIOLOGY, TRADE, URAKIN
The week on the cryptocurrency markets was marked by cautious optimism: Bitcoin strengthened, Ethereum and altcoins are preparing for potential growth, and key events – Fed rates, regulatory updates, and token lock-up volumes – are setting the tone for the second half of September.
Bitcoin rose 8% in September and is on track to have its best September in 13 years.
The total capitalization of the cryptocurrency market stabilized at around $4.05 trillion.
Bitcoin’s dominance has declined slightly, giving altcoins room to shine.
Ethereum and other major altcoins are showing the best growth rates in recent months; ETH has outperformed Bitcoin over the last third of the summer.
Bitcoin and ETH trading volumes have declined slightly, indicating market participants’ expectations ahead of major decisive events and regulatory decisions.
Forecasts and familiar themes for the second half of September from Fixygen:
Market participants expect another rate cut in the US, which could stimulate growth in “risky” assets, including cryptocurrencies.
Since Bitcoin is not so clearly in the lead, investors are likely to flow into altcoins — especially projects with real utility or new upgrades/token burns.
Simplified rules for listing ETF products and relaxed regulations could all increase the inflow of institutional capital.
There could be sharp pullbacks, especially if the macroeconomy unexpectedly deteriorates: inflation, unstable geopolitics, or regulatory overreach. Support from key levels (strong resistance/support) will be critical.
Close attention should be paid to events related to token unlocks and network protocol updates (e.g., throughput increases, staking income increases). These events could drive short-term interest in the market.
Source: https://www.fixygen.ua/news/20250919/pidsumki-tizhnya-dlya-kriptovalyut-oglyad-fixygen.html
Lithuania remains one of the most positively perceived countries among Ukrainian citizens. This is evidenced by the results of an all-Ukrainian sociological survey conducted by Active Group in cooperation with the Experts Club information and analytical center in August 2025.
According to the survey, 71.7% of Ukrainian citizens have a positive attitude towards Lithuania (34.0% – mostly positive, 37.7% – completely positive). Only 3.3% of respondents expressed a negative attitude (2.3% – mostly negative, 1.0% – completely negative). At the same time, 23.0% of Ukrainians remain neutral, and 2.3% admitted that they do not have enough information about this country.
“For Ukrainians, Lithuania is a symbol of true friendship and unconditional support. The high level of positive assessments is the result of active political, military and humanitarian assistance from Vilnius during the war,” said Oleksandr Poznyi, co-founder of Active Group.
In turn, Maksym Urakin, founder of Experts Club, emphasized the economic component of relations between the two countries:
“In the first half of 2025, trade between Ukraine and Lithuania exceeded $988 million. At the same time, Ukrainian exports amounted to almost $348 million, while imports from Lithuania reached more than $640 million. The negative balance of about $293 million indicates Ukraine’s dependence on Lithuanian supplies,” he emphasized.
The survey was part of a broader program of research on international sympathies and antipathies of Ukrainians in the context of modern geopolitics.
The full video can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgC9TPnMoMI&t
You can subscribe to the Experts Club YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ExpertsClub
ACTIVE GROUP, DIPLOMACY, EXPERTS CLUB, LITHUANIA, Poznyi, SOCIOLOGY, TRADE, URAKIN
International business, united by the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, emphasizes the need to urgently cancel export duties on soybeans and rapeseed.
They were introduced on September 4, 2025 in accordance with the Law of Ukraine #4536-IX “On Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine and Other Legislative Acts of Ukraine in connection with the Adoption of the Law of Ukraine ”On Integrated Industrial Pollution Prevention and Control“ and in order to improve certain provisions of tax legislation” (Law #4536-IX).
The amendment on the introduction of export duties on soybeans and rapeseed was included in Law No. 4536-IX in violation of the principles of legislative technique, the Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the principle of stability of tax legislation. Such changes contradict Ukraine’s European integration course and Article 31 of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, worsen the investment climate, pose risks to the rule of law, and lead to losses for agricultural producers due to falling purchase prices and reduced acreage.
Since September 4, 2025, Ukrainian Black Sea ports have been blocked by ships and port railways by railcars carrying rapeseed and soybeans due to the unresolved procedure and criteria for applying the zero duty rate for agricultural producers. Thus, all exporters, including agricultural producers, cannot export their goods and suffer losses due to fines for demurrage of ships and other vehicles, excessive storage of grain in ports, extended insurance coverage, and failure to fulfill contracts with foreign buyers. Expensive goods are stuck in ports and are at risk from regular shelling of ports, as are the crews of foreign vessels whose customs clearance is blocked. Foreign exchange earnings (up to USD 2 billion) for rapeseed and soybean seeds in 2025 have been effectively disrupted. Currently, at least nine vessels are in such a standstill, and according to preliminary estimates, the estimated losses for the business will be between USD 5 and 10 million per month.
In view of the above and the current critical situation, the American Chamber of Commerce calls on the Government to
AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, DUTIES, RAPESEED, SOYBEANS, UKRAINE
