Business news from Ukraine

Business news from Ukraine

Ukrainians’ attitudes toward Latvia remain consistently positive

In March 2026, Ukrainians’ attitudes toward Latvia were characterized by a high level of positive perception and a low proportion of negative assessments. According to the results of a survey conducted in March 2026 by the research company Active Group in collaboration with the Experts Club information and analytical center, a total of 71.6% of respondents expressed a positive attitude toward this country, which is only slightly less than in August 2025 (72.7%). At the same time, the share of negative assessments has more than halved—from 5.3% to 2.6%—indicating a further strengthening of the overall positive perception.

The breakdown of responses shows a clear dominance of positive assessments. The share of those who have a completely positive attitude toward Latvia stands at 42.4%, while another 29.1% selected the “mostly positive” option. Thus, it is the category of unconditionally positive perception that forms the foundation of the country’s image in Ukrainian society. A neutral attitude was reported by 24.5% of respondents, which is a relatively low figure for international studies of this type.

Negative assessments remain marginal. Only 1.6% of respondents expressed a mostly negative attitude, and another 0.9%—a completely negative one. At the same time, the share of those who could not decide on an answer is 1.4%, which also confirms the established and stable nature of public opinion regarding Latvia.

The dynamics of change over the past six months reveal an interesting trend. A slight decrease in the share of positive responses is accompanied by an even more significant reduction in negative assessments. This means that a portion of respondents who previously held a critical stance have shifted to either a neutral or positive stance, which generally improves the overall balance of perceptions of the country.

Compared to other European Union member states, Latvia remains among the countries with the highest levels of trust and favorability among Ukrainians. This result can be explained by a combination of political support for Ukraine, an active stance in international organizations, and clear communication at the level of state policy.

At the same time, a relatively significant share of neutral responses (24.5%) indicates that there remains potential for further strengthening the country’s image. For some Ukrainians, Latvia is not yet a country with a sufficiently deep informational or economic presence, which opens opportunities for strengthening contacts in the spheres of business, culture, and humanitarian cooperation.

“Ukrainians generally distinguish very well between countries that demonstrate consistent support for Ukraine. At the same time, the level of positive attitude is shaped not only by political statements but also by concrete actions that people can feel. That is why even small countries can have a very strong positive image,” noted Oleksandr Pozniy, director of the research company Active Group.

Thus, the survey results confirm that Latvia has established itself in Ukrainian public perception as a reliable and friendly partner. A high level of positive sentiment with minimal negativity creates favorable conditions for the further development of bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of the economy, security, and humanitarian cooperation.

According to a study conducted by the Experts Club information and analytical center based on data from the State Customs Service, Latvia ranks 35th in total trade volume of goods with Ukraine, with a figure of $522.7 million. At the same time, Ukraine has a positive bilateral trade balance, as exports of Ukrainian goods exceed imports from Latvia.

The study was presented at the Interfax-Ukraine press center; the video can be viewed on the agency’s YouTube channel. The full version of the study can be found at this link on the Experts Club analytical center’s website.

 

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Ukrainians’ attitudes toward Saudi Arabia remain largely neutral

The results of a public opinion poll conducted in March 2026 by the research company Active Group in collaboration with the Experts Club information and analytical center show that Ukrainians’ attitudes toward Saudi Arabia remain largely neutral, though with a slight decline in positive assessments and a gradual increase in negative sentiment. This forms a perception profile characteristic of some Middle Eastern countries—low polarization with a high degree of uncertainty.

The overall level of positive attitudes toward Saudi Arabia stands at 28.0%. Of these, 8.4% of respondents view the country “entirely positively,” while another 19.6% view it “mostly positively.” At the same time, negative assessments reach 8.2% (5.6% — “mostly negative,” 2.6% — “completely negative”). As in previous waves of the survey, the largest share is held by neutral attitudes — 58.7%, while another 5.1% of respondents were unable to determine their position.

Compared to August 2025, positive attitudes decreased from 33.3% to 28.0%, while negative assessments rose slightly—from 7.7% to 8.2%. This trend indicates a gradual shift in the balance of assessments toward a more critical perception, although the changes remain moderate and do not go beyond the general neutral pattern.

The high proportion of neutral responses indicates that Saudi Arabia does not occupy a clearly defined place in the consciousness of Ukrainian society. Perceptions of the country are formed in a fragmented manner, without a systematic information presence or intensive contacts that could shift the balance toward more defined assessments. Under such conditions, even minor informational or political signals can influence the dynamics of public opinion.

“When we see that a country remains predominantly in the zone of neutral perception, it means that it effectively lacks sufficient ‘weight’ in the everyday information landscape of Ukrainians. In such a situation, even small changes in the information landscape can shift the balance of assessments in one direction or another. That is why, for such countries, it is crucial not only to increase their presence but also to shape a clear and positive image,” noted Maksym Urakin, founder of the Experts Club information and analytical center.

Thus, Saudi Arabia remains in the group of countries with a predominantly neutral image in Ukraine, where the level of positive perception is gradually declining, while the negative segment is slowly growing. The further evolution of this balance will depend on the intensity of economic, political, and informational contacts between the countries, as well as on how actively Saudi Arabia can shape its own image in the perception of Ukrainian society.

According to a study conducted by the Experts Club information and analytical center based on data from the State Customs Service, Saudi Arabia ranks 34th in total trade volume with Ukraine, amounting to $530.8 million. At the same time, Ukraine has a trade surplus with this country, as exports exceed imports by more than 1.6 times.

The study was presented at the Interfax-Ukraine press center; the video can be viewed on the agency’s YouTube channel. The full version of the study can be found at this link on the Experts Club analytical center’s website.

 

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Ukrainians’ Attitudes Toward Lebanon – Rising Negativity Amid a Predominance of Neutral Views

The results of a sociological survey conducted in March 2026 by the research company Active Group in collaboration with the Experts Club information and analytical center show that Lebanon remains one of the countries with a predominantly neutral perception among Ukrainians, though with a trend toward increasing negative assessments. The largest share of responses is a neutral attitude—62.5%, which indicates the country’s limited presence in Ukraine’s information space.

The share of positive attitudes toward Lebanon is relatively low—10.5%. Specifically, 3.3% of respondents indicated a “completely positive” attitude, and 7.2% — a “mostly positive” one. At the same time, negative assessments are significantly higher — 18.2% in total, of which 13.5% represent a “mostly negative” attitude and another 4.7% — a “completely negative” one. Additionally, 8.9% of respondents were unable to determine their position.

Compared to August 2025, there has been a simultaneous increase in both positive (from 8.7% to 10.5%) and negative (from 15.3% to 18.2%) attitudes. This trend indicates the gradual formation of a more defined image of Lebanon in Ukrainian society, although the neutral segment remains dominant.

A high level of neutrality combined with a rise in negative assessments may point to a fragmented perception of the country, shaped not through systematic interaction but through isolated information signals. Under such conditions, even a limited information background or media events can significantly influence the balance of assessments.

“When we see that, alongside neutrality, the share of negative assessments is also beginning to rise, it means that the country is gradually entering the information space, but this process is not accompanied by a sufficient number of positive signals. In such cases, an asymmetrical perception forms, where individual events or news stories have a disproportionately large impact. That is why it is important for countries with a similar profile to work not only on their presence but also on the content of that presence,” noted Maksym Urakin, founder of the Experts Club information and analytical center.

Thus, Lebanon is among the group of countries with a weak established image in Ukraine, where neutrality is gradually shifting toward a more polarized perception. The future trajectory of these assessments will largely depend on the intensity of contacts, media presence, and the nature of interaction between the countries.

According to a study conducted by the Experts Club Information and Analytical Center based on data from the State Customs Service, Lebanon ranks 33rd in total trade volume of goods with Ukraine, with a figure of $532.9 million. This is one of the most striking examples of a trade surplus for Ukraine, as Ukrainian exports far exceed imports from Lebanon.

The study was presented at the Interfax-Ukraine press center; the video can be viewed on the agency’s YouTube channel. The full version of the study can be found at this link on the Experts Club analytical center’s website.

 

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Ukrainians’ attitudes toward Indonesia remain largely neutral due to limited awareness and infrequent contact

The results of a sociological survey conducted in March 2026 by the research company Active Group in collaboration with the Experts Club information and analytical center show that Indonesia remains one of the countries with the highest level of neutral perception among Ukrainians. According to the study, 71.6% of respondents chose a neutral assessment, indicating limited involvement of this country in Ukraine’s informational and economic space.

The share of positive attitudes toward Indonesia stands at 20.3%. Specifically, 6.5% of respondents indicated a “completely positive” attitude, and 13.8% — “mostly positive.” At the same time, negative assessments remain minimal — a total of 3.0%, of which 2.3% answered “mostly negative” and only 0.7% — “completely negative.” Another 5.1% of respondents were unable to determine their position.

This pattern of responses is typical for countries that do not have a significant influence on Ukraine’s domestic agenda or are not associated with key political, security, or economic processes. The high proportion of neutral assessments indicates not a negative perception, but rather the absence of a clearly formed image of the country in the public consciousness.

“When we see over 70% neutral responses, it means that the country is effectively outside the active information field of Ukrainians. In such cases, perceptions are formed not through experience or interaction, but through fragmented impressions. That is why even a slight increase in economic or humanitarian contacts can quite quickly shift the balance of assessments in a positive direction,” noted Maksym Urakin, founder of the Experts Club information and analytical center.

Thus, Indonesia remains a country with the potential to build a positive image among Ukrainians; however, this potential has not yet been realized due to low visibility and limited practical interaction. If bilateral contacts are intensified, particularly in the economic and educational spheres, the neutral segment could become the foundation for growing positive perceptions.

According to a study conducted by the Experts Club information and analytical center based on data from the State Customs Service, Indonesia ranks 32nd in terms of total trade in goods with Ukraine, amounting to $578.3 million. At the same time, Ukraine has a small trade surplus, as exports to Indonesia slightly exceed imports.

The study was presented at the Interfax-Ukraine press center; the video can be viewed on the agency’s YouTube channel. The full version of the study can be found at this link on the Experts Club analytical center’s website.

 

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Ukrainians’ attitudes toward Taiwan remain reserved

The results of a survey conducted in March 2026 by the research company Active Group in collaboration with the Experts Club information and analytical center indicate that Ukrainians’ attitudes toward Taiwan (referred to as “a province of China”) remain predominantly neutral, despite the presence of a moderately positive segment. The share of respondents who view Taiwan positively stands at 36.6%, which is lower than the August 2025 figure (41.0%). At the same time, negative assessments have decreased slightly—to 7.2% from 7.7%.

In the breakdown of responses, only 11.4% of respondents indicated a “completely positive” attitude, while another 25.2% said “mostly positive.” At the same time, neutral assessments constitute the absolute majority—51.3%, which is one of the highest figures among the countries surveyed.

The negative segment remains relatively limited: 5.4% of respondents answered “mostly negative,” and 1.9% — “completely negative.” Another 4.9% of respondents were unable to determine their attitude.

Comparative trends show that the decline in positive perceptions occurred without a significant increase in negative ones. This means that some respondents shifted to a neutral position, which is typical for countries that do not have a strong media presence or direct influence on the daily lives of Ukrainians.

“Ukrainians tend to assess countries about which they have limited experience or information with caution. In such cases, a neutral attitude dominates, which is not a sign of indifference but rather an indication of these countries’ insufficient involvement in Ukraine’s informational and social space. At the same time, even a moderate presence of positive sentiment indicates potential for building trust in the future,” noted Oleksandr Pozniy, director of the research firm Active Group.

Thus, for Ukrainian society, Taiwan remains a country with an undefined but not negative image. The high level of neutral assessments indicates significant potential for a shift in perception, which depends primarily on the intensity of contacts, information exchange, and political visibility.

According to a study conducted by the Experts Club information and analytical center based on data from the State Customs Service, Taiwan, a province of China, ranks 31st in total trade volume of goods with Ukraine, with a figure of $650.8 million. At the same time, imports from Taiwan almost entirely dominate the structure of bilateral trade, resulting in a significant trade deficit for Ukraine of over $607 million.

The study was presented at the Interfax-Ukraine press center; the video can be viewed on the agency’s YouTube channel. The full version of the study can be found at this link on the Experts Club analytical center’s website.

 

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Ukrainians’ attitude toward Denmark remains positive despite slight decline in positive ratings

The results of a survey conducted in March 2026 by the research company Active Group in collaboration with the Experts Club information and analytical center indicate a consistently positive attitude among Ukrainians toward Denmark, although a slight decline in the overall level of positive assessments has been recorded compared to August 2025. The share of respondents who view Denmark positively stands at 69.9%, down from 73.7% previously. At the same time, negative assessments remain at a minimal level—1.2% compared to 1.3% in the previous period.

In the breakdown of responses, 33.3% of Ukrainians chose the option “completely positive,” while another 36.6% selected “mostly positive.” A neutral attitude was expressed by 26.8% of respondents, indicating a certain degree of distance in the perception of the country, despite the generally high positive sentiment.

The negative segment remains marginal: 0.7% of respondents answered “mostly negative,” and only 0.5% — “completely negative.” Another 2.1% of respondents were undecided. This distribution of assessments underscores that Denmark belongs to the group of countries with the lowest level of critical perception among Ukrainians.

Comparative trends show that the decline in positive assessments occurred primarily due to an increase in neutral responses, rather than a shift into the negative segment. This indicates a gradual shift in perception from emotionally positive to more restrained or less defined.

“Ukrainians do not perceive the world in black-and-white terms and evaluate different countries quite thoughtfully. Where the level of awareness or informational presence is lower, a neutral stance is more likely to form. At the same time, countries that demonstrate consistent support maintain a high level of trust even amid certain fluctuations in indicators,” noted Oleksandr Pozniy, director of the research company Active Group.

Overall, Denmark continues to rank among the countries with the best image in Ukrainian society. A slight decline in positive perception does not alter the overall picture, which is characterized by stable trust, a low level of criticism, and the absence of significant polarization in assessments.

According to a study conducted by the Experts Club information and analytical center based on data from the State Customs Service, Denmark ranks 30th in total trade volume with Ukraine, which amounts to $671.9 million. At the same time, imports of Danish goods are more than double Ukrainian exports, resulting in a trade deficit of over $231 million.

The study was presented at the Interfax-Ukraine press center; the video can be viewed on the agency’s YouTube channel. The full version of the study can be found at this link on the Experts Club analytical center’s website.

 

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