Kyivstar, Ukraine’s largest mobile operator, has announced its vision to increase the share of revenue from digital services to 50% in the future, a figure that has risen to 20% in recent years.
“Our vision is that one day our revenue from digital services will equal our revenue from telecommunications. We’ve reached 20% now. We still need 30%,” Kyivstar CEO and President Oleksandr Komarov said at Forbes Money on Thursday.
According to him, thanks to this year’s acquisition of Tabletki, the company already has more digital customers than telecom customers: the group’s digital businesses reached a three-month audience of 28 million users, compared to 22 million in the telecom business.
“In other words, we are moving forward with the implementation of our strategy. We understand that the core value today, unfortunately, is not created by the presence of a telecom connection,” Komarov added.
He clarified that the company is currently building an ecosystem of various digital services around its core offering, which is the telecom business.
“But perhaps in five years, the core offering will be, for example, the ‘Uklon’ offering. In other words, this creates a field of opportunities for the development of the Kyivstar Group,” said the president of Kyivstar.
Komarov noted that the company’s investment payback period is estimated at around 5–6 years.
“We don’t factor synergies into the deals, but we certainly keep in mind what synergies we can achieve. For example, the synergies between Kyivstar and Tabletki are quite insignificant, but the synergies between Tabletki and Helsi are quite significant,” the mobile operator’s CEO cited as an example.
He emphasized that it is also important for Kyivstar to reduce its dependence on its core telecom business, as investors are less interested in this sector.
“There is hope that at some point we will be able to position this group as a set of digital assets with a completely different perspective on its valuation,” Komarov explained.
As reported, Kyivstar increased its consolidated EBITDA by 28.5% in the first quarter of 2026—to 7.5 billion UAH—while revenue grew by 31.3%—to 13.9 billion UAH.
The information and analytical center Experts Club presented a video analysis of the dynamics of wheat cultivation worldwide for the period from 1990 to 2026, prepared on the basis of comparative data on wheat production in the main producing countries.
According to available data, global wheat production in the countries included in the analysis increased from about 591.3 million tonnes in 1990 to an estimated 816.4 million tonnes in 2026. Thus, over 36 years, the volume of production increased by approximately 225 million tonnes, or by 38%.
At the same time, the highest indicator in the available data set was recorded in 2025 — about 831.9 million tonnes. The forecast indicator for 2026 is lower — 816.4 million tonnes, which may indicate a partial correction after the high harvest of the previous year, but the overall long-term trend remains upward.
Experts Club notes that the video format makes it possible to visually trace not only the growth of global wheat production, but also the change in the geography of the main producers. If in the early 1990s the largest producers included the USSR, China, the United States, India, France and Canada, then in the current structure the leading positions are occupied by China, India, Russia, the United States, France, Canada, Australia, Pakistan and Ukraine.
According to FAO and USDA data, in 1990 the largest volume of wheat production was accounted for by the USSR — about 101.9 million tonnes, China — 98.2 million tonnes, the United States — 74.3 million tonnes, India — 49.8 million tonnes, France — 33.3 million tonnes and Canada — 32.1 million tonnes. The combined share of the ten largest producers at that time was about 77% of the global indicator.
In 2026, according to available data, China remains the largest wheat producer — about 141 million tonnes. India ranks second — 121 million tonnes, and Russia ranks third — 86 million tonnes. They are followed by the United States — 42.5 million tonnes, France — 36 million tonnes, Canada — 35 million tonnes, Australia and Pakistan — 30 million tonnes each, Ukraine — 23 million tonnes, and Germany — 21.5 million tonnes.
The share of China and India in global wheat production increased significantly during this period. If in 1990 these two countries accounted for about 25% of global production, then in 2026 they already account for more than 32%. This reflects the long-term strengthening of Asia’s role in the global food system.
“Wheat remains one of the basic indicators of food security. Over the past decades, we have seen not only an increase in global production, but also a gradual shift in the centers of agricultural weight. China and India have become key producers, while the countries of the Black Sea region have significantly strengthened their influence on the international grain market,” said Maksym Urakin, founder of the information and analytical center Experts Club and Candidate of Economic Sciences.
Ukraine plays a separate role in the modern production structure. According to available data, after Ukraine appeared as a separate statistical unit in the early 1990s, wheat production amounted to about 19.5 million tonnes in 1992. In 2021, the indicator reached more than 32 million tonnes, after which it declined due to the war, logistical restrictions, mined territories, changes in the structure of sown areas and the loss of part of production capacity.
In 2024, wheat production in Ukraine was estimated at approximately 23.4 million tonnes, in 2025 — 24.1 million tonnes, and in 2026 — about 23 million tonnes. Despite difficult conditions, Ukraine remains among the ten largest wheat producers in the world and retains strategic importance for the global grain market.
The data also indicate changes in the position of the United States. In 1990, the United States produced more than 74 million tonnes of wheat and was one of the three largest producers in the world. In 2026, its indicator stands at about 42.5 million tonnes. This does not mean a loss of U.S. agricultural potential as a whole, but reflects structural changes in agriculture, competition with other crops and a change in the global production balance.
Russia, which has been reflected separately in statistics after the collapse of the USSR, has become one of the key wheat producers in the 21st century. According to available data, in 2025 its production was estimated at approximately 90.3 million tonnes, and in 2026 — 86 million tonnes. At the same time, the countries of the former USSR as a whole remain an important center of global grain production.
“The global wheat market has become much more multipolar. If previously several major producers played the key role, now several regions at once are critically important for food stability — Asia, North America, Europe, the Black Sea basin and Australia. Any climatic, logistical or military-political risks in one of these regions quickly affect global prices,” Urakin emphasized.
Experts Club draws attention to the fact that when analyzing wheat, it is important to distinguish between absolute production volumes, export potential and domestic consumption. China and India are the largest producers, but a significant part of their harvest is used on the domestic market. Instead, Ukraine, Russia, Canada, Australia, the United States and France have a significant influence specifically on international wheat trade.
The center’s analysts note that the further dynamics of wheat production will depend on several key factors: climatic conditions, access to fertilizers and seeds, energy costs, the state of logistics infrastructure, trade restrictions, war risks and state policy to support the agricultural sector.
According to Experts Club’s assessment, long-term visualization of wheat cultivation indicators makes it possible to better understand how the global food system has changed since 1990, which countries have strengthened their positions and why grain production remains one of the key elements of economic and political security.
According to the Interfax-Ukraine Culture project, the Ukrainian book market is maintaining stable demand during the war, but publishers are facing rising production costs, logistical problems, the loss of warehouses, and changing reader preferences. This is evidenced by assessments from participants at the 14th “Book Arsenal” in Kyiv, published by the Interfax-Ukraine agency on the Interfax-Ukraine Culture project website.
The 14th “Book Arsenal” has become one of the key platforms for assessing the state of the Ukrainian publishing industry. Dozens of Ukrainian publishing houses are represented at the festival—from major players to niche projects working with military, historical, Ukrainian studies, classical, and contemporary fiction.
Market representatives note that, despite the difficult economic situation, shelling, and rising costs of paper and logistics, interest in Ukrainian books remains strong. Readers are increasingly choosing publications on history, war, culture, national identity, as well as contemporary Ukrainian fiction.
Gennadiy Korber, deputy director of the Kharkiv-based publishing house “Folio,” reported that demand for books has declined, but the market continues to function. According to him, a significant portion of the publishing house’s books is still printed in Kharkiv, despite the city’s ongoing shelling, while some orders are fulfilled in other regions of Ukraine.
Among Folio’s new releases presented at the Book Arsenal are Oleksii Bobrovnikov’s novel “Red Zone” about the war and Yurii Soroka’s book “Our Knight’s Cross.” The publishing house notes a growing interest in Ukrainian history, classics, military themes, and fantasy. According to market representatives, the youth audience actively reads fantasy, although for a number of publishers this segment was not previously a primary focus.
One of the main economic challenges for the industry remains rising production costs. Publishers attribute the increase in book prices to rising costs for paper, logistics, imported raw materials, and currency fluctuations. According to market participants’ estimates, paper prices may have risen by approximately 20–25% over the past year. Ukraine has virtually no domestic production of commercial paper for the book industry, so publishers rely on imports, particularly from Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and other countries.
Russian shelling remains an additional risk factor, leading not only to production delays but also to direct losses of print runs. Folio reported instances where books were destroyed due to strikes on factories where orders were being processed.
For the Ukrainian Priority publishing house, the strike on its infrastructure was critical.
Its director, Volodymyr Shovkoshytny, said that as a result of a Shahed drone attack on the night of June 17 last year, the publisher’s warehouse and office were destroyed. According to him, about 70,000 books and office equipment were burned, and only about 4,000–5,000 damaged copies could be salvaged from the ashes and water.
Despite the losses, the publishing house set a goal to restore its catalog by the first anniversary of the attack. Ukrainian Priority’s main focus is historical, literary, and popular science literature on Ukrainian history, spanning from the Scythian era to the modern war.
Publishers are also noting a steady interest in literature on Ukrainian studies. Publisher Oleksandr Savchuk noted that after the start of the full-scale war, Ukrainians became significantly more interested in books about their own culture, history, and identity. At the same time, he said, following a sharp rise in demand during the early years of the war, the market is now seeing a certain decline, though interest in Ukrainian topics remains long-term.
Digital services are emerging as a distinct area of development in the book market. Olga Olkhova, founder of the Litcom book app, presented an update to the service at the “Book Arsenal,” which is positioned as a book market navigator and a tool for building one’s own library. The app now allows users to add books by scanning a barcode, make written and audio notes, and track who the reader has lent the book to.
According to Olkhova, non-fiction is in high demand in Ukraine, especially short audio formats based on books. The Litcom team is also conducting research on the reading habits of Ukrainians among schoolchildren, students, active readers, and the general public. They plan to release the initial results after the conclusion of the “Book Arsenal.”
Military literature remains a notable market segment. Iryna Bilotserkivska, director of the Bilka publishing house, noted that the publishing house has been working with military literature since 2018. Among the new releases is a collection of military horror stories titled “Birds in the Dark,” written by eight military authors. According to the publisher, this is effectively a new genre emerging from the experience of war.
Market participants are also noting a shift in buyers’ expectations regarding the quality of the book as a physical product. While previously part of the audience focused primarily on price, readers now more often pay attention to printing quality, layout, illustrations, cover design, and the collectible value of the publication. The festival’s booths feature gift editions, designer series of classics, and collectible books with colored edges, embossing, and illustrations.
Svitlana Stretovych, editor-in-chief and founder of Stretovych Publishing House, presented the Ukrainian translation of Agatha Christie’s autobiography at the “Book Arsenal”—the first time it has been published in Ukrainian. According to her, the book was originally published worldwide in 1977, but Ukrainian readers had not yet had access to a translation.
Thus, the Ukrainian book market continues to operate amid war, rising costs, and infrastructure risks. Demand has become more selective, yet interest in history, war, national identity, Ukrainian literature, and high-quality publications remains strong. For publishers, “Book Arsenal” remains significant not only as a fair but also as a platform for direct contact with readers, authors, and partners.
“Book Arsenal” is an annual international festival in Kyiv that brings together publishers, authors, readers, cultural institutions, and representatives of the creative industries.
In 2026, the festival will be held for the fourteenth time and remains one of the main public platforms of the Ukrainian book market.
Source: https://interfax.com.ua/news/culture/1171986.html
The net inflow of foreign direct investment into Montenegro in the first quarter of 2026 amounted to EUR75.6 million, which is almost 40% less than the figure for the same period last year, when it reached EUR122.2 million, according to data from the Central Bank of Montenegro.
At the same time, the Telegram channel “Serbian Economist” reports that the total volume of foreign direct investment received by the country decreased only slightly — by 2.5%, to EUR206.5 million. The main pressure on the final indicator was exerted by the growth in capital outflow: foreign investors withdrew EUR130.9 million from Montenegro, compared with EUR89.5 million a year earlier.
Thus, the Central Bank’s data show not so much a sharp decline in interest in Montenegro on the part of foreign investors as an intensification of the reverse movement of capital. Money continues to flow into the country, but at the same time there is an increase in the divestment of companies, the repayment of loans previously provided to local firms, and the withdrawal of funds through the sale of real estate.
The largest volume of capital outflow in the first quarter accounted for investors from Turkey — EUR24.8 million. Of this amount, EUR21.1 million was related to the withdrawal of funds from companies in Montenegro, while another about EUR3 million was related to the sale of real estate.
Investors from Serbia were in second place, having withdrawn EUR17.5 million. EUR8.3 million accounted for the sale of real estate in Montenegro, EUR3.7 million for the purchase of real estate abroad, and another EUR3.2 million for the withdrawal of funds from companies. They were followed by investors from the UAE with EUR17 million.
The growth in capital outflow is especially important for Montenegro, since the country’s economy traditionally depends heavily on foreign investment, primarily in real estate, tourism, construction and related services. In recent years, investors from Turkey, Serbia, Russia, EU countries and the Middle East have played a noticeable role in the market.
The decline in net inflow may become a signal for the authorities of the need to assess the quality of investments more carefully. For the economy, it is important not only how much money is received, but also how much of it remains in the country, creates jobs, supports productivity and forms a long-term tax base.
The average salary of full-time employees in Ukraine rose by 0.5% in April compared to March 2026, reaching 30,515 UAH, according to the State Statistics Service (SSS).
According to the statistics agency, the highest average salary last month was recorded in Kyiv—48,003 UAH—and Kyiv Oblast—30,584 UAH—while the lowest was in Kirovohrad Oblast—21,199 UAH—and Chernivtsi Oblast—21,687 UAH.
In April 2026, the highest wages were observed in the information and telecommunications sector—77,861 thousand UAH, financial and insurance activities—69,446 thousand UAH, professional, scientific, and technical activities—40,358 thousand UAH, public administration and defense – 35,553 thousand UAH, in the wholesale and retail trade sector – 35,442 thousand UAH, in industry – 33,341 thousand UAH, in transportation, postal, and courier services – 29,262 thousand UAH, in real estate operations – 27,707 thousand UAH, and in construction – 24,094 thousand UAH.
At the same time, the lowest average wages were observed in the arts, sports, entertainment, and recreation sector—19,855 thousand UAH, among educators—20,037 thousand UAH, and among healthcare and social assistance workers—20,868 thousand UAH
According to data from the State Statistics Service, wage arrears as of May 1, 2026, amounted to 3.7 billion UAH (in March – 3.6 million UAH)
The State Statistics Service notes that the data does not include territories temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation or areas where hostilities are (were) taking place.
As reported, consumer price inflation in Ukraine slowed to 1.4% in April 2026 from 1.7% in March, 1% in February, and 0.7% in January of this year. According to the State Statistics Service, on an annualized basis, inflation rose to 8.6% as of the end of April 2026 from 7.9% as of the end of March, 7.6% as of the end of February, and 7.4% as of the end of January.
At the end of April, the NBU revised its inflation forecast for 2026 downward from 7.5% to 9.4%, and for 2027 from 6% to 6.5%.
According to The Serbian Economist, Kosovo will not introduce compulsory military service and instead intends to develop a total defense model, Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated.
According to him, this approach better suits current security conditions than traditional compulsory service. Kurti cited the example of Finland, where defense is viewed not only as the army’s responsibility but as a system of participation by the entire society, including government institutions, business, civil protection, infrastructure, and reserve mechanisms.
The idea of compulsory service in Kosovo has been discussed for several years. Kurti had previously advocated for its introduction, but now the government is effectively changing its approach: instead of conscription for young people, the focus is on a broader concept. This model involves preparing society and the state for crises, rather than merely increasing the size of the army.
The comprehensive defense plan was approved by the Kosovo government back in September 2024. It is intended to integrate military readiness, civil defense, critical infrastructure resilience, information security, mobilization capabilities, and interagency coordination. Kurti did not specify a timeline for launching the new model.
The decision comes amid Kosovo’s ongoing increase in defense spending. Under Kurti, Pristina has increased funding for security forces, purchased Turkish Bayraktar drones, and received U.S. approval to acquire Javelin anti-tank systems. Authorities have also announced plans to establish their own ammunition production facility and a drone development laboratory. Reuters previously reported that Kosovo plans to allocate approximately EUR1 billion to defense over four years and increase spending by 60%.
However, this model has its limitations. The Finnish example cited by Kurtis was built up over decades and combines universal defense with mandatory service for men and a well-developed reserve system. Therefore, simply copying this model is not enough for Kosovo: the country will have to create its own system of training, financing, civil defense, and interagency coordination.
For the region, this decision will be viewed through the prism of relations with Serbia. Belgrade does not recognize Kosovo’s independence, declared in 2008, and considers Kosovo part of its territory. Pristina, in turn, views the strengthening of security forces as a response to threats from Serbia and instability in northern Kosovo, where a significant Serbian community resides.
The situation is further stabilized by the presence of KFOR forces under NATO command. There are more than 4,000 peacekeepers in Kosovo; they play a particularly important role in the north, where tensions and clashes regularly arise between local Serbs, the Kosovo authorities, and security forces.
Kosovo has been recognized by more than 100 countries, including the United States and most EU member states, however, its independence is not recognized by Serbia, Russia, China, Ukraine, and several EU member states, including Spain, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and Cyprus. Because of this, Kosovo is not a member of the UN or NATO, although it is striving for Euro-Atlantic integration.
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