The Ministry of Economy and Environment has begun developing Ukraine’s industrial strategy through 2030 and plans to present a draft for discussion with the professional community over the course of three months, Deputy Minister Vitaliy Kindrativ said.
According to him, the Federation of Employers of Ukraine (FEU), the Institute of Economic Modeling, relevant industry associations, and experts are involved in drafting the document.
“Our priority today is, on the one hand, to support the domestic manufacturing industry and, on the other, to help it enter foreign markets,” the deputy minister emphasized during the 12th Kyiv International Economic Forum (KIEF) on the topic “People. Business. Economy. What’s Next?” on Monday in Kyiv, according to an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent.
Kindratov noted that the strategy will focus on sectors with high added value and the potential to enter foreign markets, particularly in machine building, the manufacturing industry, and agricultural processing.
He emphasized that once work on the document is completed, it will be discussed with relevant business associations, whose position will form the basis for its final approval by the government. Furthermore, in his view, a clear definition of priority sectors and government support programs will serve as an important signal for attracting foreign investment and capital into the Ukrainian economy.
For his part, Ruslan Illichev, CEO of the Federation of Ukrainian Industries (FUI), emphasized that the document must be based on the real needs of domestic businesses.
“This strategy must be based, first and foremost, on the perspectives of the industries operating in Ukraine. We need to take our most competitive existing industries and ask what they need to scale up,” the FRU head stressed.
Ilychev added that key components of the document should also include ensuring maximum localization in large government and infrastructure projects and coordinating overall industrial policy with European partners to integrate Ukraine into EU markets.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has published a resolution updating the arrangements for reserving persons liable for military service during mobilization and martial law.
In particular, according to Resolution No. 1328 of October 23, central executive authorities, other state bodies, public administration bodies whose jurisdiction extends throughout the entire territory of Ukraine, regional and Kyiv City State Administrations (military administrations if established) must, within ten days from the date this resolution enters into force, ensure the review and approval of the criteria used to determine enterprises, institutions and organizations that are critically important for the functioning of the economy.
Following the review of the criteria, an analysis of enterprises’ compliance with these criteria must be carried out, and if a criterion on the basis of which an enterprise was designated as critically important is removed, the decision designating it as critically important must be revoked.
The government has established that decisions designating enterprises as critically important that are valid on the date this resolution enters into force shall remain valid for the period for which they were adopted, except for those that have been revoked.
It is noted that decisions of the Minister of Defense to increase the number of persons liable for military service eligible for reservation, adopted before Resolution No. 1608 entered into force, shall remain valid throughout the period of validity of the decision designating an enterprise as critically important, but no later than December 8, 2026. Decisions of the Ministry of Defense to increase reservation quotas adopted after December 8, 2025, shall remain valid for the duration of the decision on critical importance, but no longer than the period specified in the relevant decision of the ministry.
The Cabinet of Ministers has also established a Coordination Center for Organizing the Reservation of Persons Liable for Military Service during Mobilization and Wartime.
It is noted that enterprises operating in the following sectors may be designated as critically important for the functioning of the economy and ensuring the population’s essential needs during a special period: the defense-industrial complex; the fuel and energy complex; housing and communal services; the extractive industry; the processing industry; agro-industrial production, including ensuring food security; retail trade; construction; transport and logistics; information technology; banking; healthcare; communications; as well as enterprises carrying out emergency rescue and other urgent work (emergency rescue services); and enterprises operating in a sector approved by the Coordination Center following a substantiated request from a central executive authority or another state body responsible for formulating and/or implementing state policy in the relevant sector.
It has been established that the proportion of persons liable for military service eligible for reservation may exceed 50% based on the recommendations and proposals of the Coordination Center.
Substantiated proposals to increase reservation quotas shall be submitted to the Coordination Center by the relevant state body. Grounds for the Coordination Center to refuse to consider such proposals include, in particular, the establishment of facts of systematic violations by the head of a critically important institution of the legal requirements governing the organization and maintenance of military registration records. This includes, in particular, the existence of two or more documented violations within the past 12 months and/or the imposition of administrative liability on the head of the institution for committing such violations.
It has also been established that the number of persons liable for military service holding positions in representative offices of donor institutions and organizations implementing international technical assistance projects who are eligible for reservation must not exceed 50% of the number of employees liable for military service directly involved in carrying out the tasks of a single project, and must not exceed seven people.
Under a decision of the State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers, adopted taking into account the recommendations of the Coordination Center, the number of persons liable for military service eligible for reservation may exceed seven people, but must not exceed 50% of the total number of employees liable for military service.
The number of employees liable for military service who are eligible for reservation must not exceed 95% in critically important institutions designated by the Ministry of Defense as critically important in the defense-industrial complex, the fuel and energy complex, and their contracting organizations, or among domestic manufacturers of transformer equipment for the energy sector that carry out construction, repair, restoration, manufacture and/or supply of equipment, provide services, or implement other engineering and technical measures aimed at ensuring the uninterrupted operation of Ukraine’s integrated power system and gas transmission system during a special period.
The proportion of persons liable for military service eligible for reservation may exceed 95% under a decision of the Ministry of Defense or the Ministry of Energy, adopted taking into account the agreed recommendations of the Coordination Center.
Among other things, the government recommended that enterprises intending to obtain critically important status ensure the timely submission of documents to central executive authorities, other state bodies and public administration bodies in order to obtain such status.
Ukraine and Romania discussed the development of electricity interconnectors, the use of gas corridors, and the expansion of cooperation in the field of gas production during the first online meeting between Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal and Romania’s Minister of Energy Dumitru Căsălicea.
“The agenda included the region’s energy security and the implementation of joint energy projects,” Shmyhal wrote on his Telegram channel.
According to him, the parties focused on the development of electricity interconnectors between the countries—which would provide nearly 1 GW of additional transmission capacity—and discussed deepening bilateral cooperation in this area.
Logistical issues related to fuel supplies were also discussed. Shmyhal informed his Romanian counterpart about Ukraine’s proposals to increase the capacity of border crossing points and open new transit routes.
Particular attention was paid to the use of the Vertical and Trans-Balkan gas corridors and the development of new interconnectors. The Ukrainian side noted Romania’s role in implementing the roadmap for the Trans-Balkan route, particularly in introducing more competitive tariff conditions.
“We also count on Romanian companies’ interest in storing part of their gas in Ukrainian gas storage facilities as part of the development of the Vertical Corridor,” Shmyhal noted.
Following the meeting, the parties agreed to work together to establish cooperation between Ukrainian and Romanian companies in the field of gas production and field development.
Source: https://t.me/Denys_Smyhal/13224
Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction should involve not only the rebuilding of destroyed infrastructure and enterprises, but also a structural transformation of the economy—specifically, a shift from a raw materials-based model to the production of high-value-added goods. This was stated by expert Stakovychenko Igor, according to the publication “Glavred.”
In his assessment, the reconstruction could serve as an opportunity for the technological modernization of Ukrainian industry, increasing productivity, and strengthening the competitiveness of domestic enterprises in international markets.
“Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction is not just the largest infrastructure project in the history of the independent state. It is a chance to change the structure of the national economy, to transition from a raw materials-based model to the production of high-value-added goods,” Stakovichenko noted.
According to a joint assessment by the Ukrainian government, the World Bank, the European Commission, and the UN, released in February 2026, the country’s needs for recovery and reconstruction over the next decade amount to nearly $588 billion.
Transportation infrastructure, the energy sector, housing, industry, and the agricultural sector will require the largest investments. At the same time, recovery efforts must continue even before the war ends, despite security risks.
Among the main challenges for the economy, experts highlight not only physical destruction but also a shrinking labor force, a shortage of skilled workers, logistical constraints, and insufficient access to financing. Under these conditions, restoring production capacity alone will not guarantee its effective operation.
Promising areas for development could include agricultural processing, energy, information technology, and the defense industry. In particular, the modernization of energy infrastructure creates opportunities for the development of distributed generation and improved energy efficiency, while defense technologies could serve as the foundation for establishing new high-tech manufacturing facilities.
At the same time, the private sector will remain a key factor in the country’s recovery. International financial assistance is necessary to overcome the consequences of the war; however, long-term economic growth will also require private investment, job creation, and the expansion of export capacity.
To attract capital, Ukraine must ensure the protection of property rights, access to credit, a predictable tax policy, a reduction in administrative burdens on entrepreneurs, and an effective judicial system.
According to Stakovichenko, the key criterion for successful reconstruction should not be the number of restored facilities or the amount of funds disbursed, but rather the economy’s ability to create new industries, jobs, and added value.
Thus, post-war reconstruction could serve as a tool for Ukraine’s transition to a more modern economic model focused on technology, productivity, and competitive manufacturing.
ECONOMY, INDUSTRY, INVESTMENT, RECONSTRUCTION, UKRAINE, СТАКОВИЧЕНКО
Latvia continues to enjoy a high level of positive perception among Ukrainians: in August 2026, 68.3% of respondents viewed the country positively, while only 3.9% viewed it negatively. Compared to March, the share of positive assessments has decreased slightly; however, the country continues to rank among the nations with the highest levels of public favor, according to the Experts Club Information and Analytical Center.
According to the results of the August survey, 39.7% of Ukrainians view Latvia entirely positively, and 28.6% view it mostly positively. 26.6% of respondents hold a neutral position. 2.5% view the country mostly negatively, 1.4% view it entirely negatively, and another 1.2% were undecided.
The balance of positive and negative assessments stands at plus 64.4 percentage points. Thus, positive attitudes toward Latvia outnumber negative ones by more than 17 times. Overall, the countries of Northern Europe and the Baltic states maintained some of the highest levels of positive attitudes among Ukrainians in the August wave of the survey.
In March 2026, 71.6% of respondents had a positive attitude toward Latvia: 42.4% viewed it entirely positively and 29.1% viewed it mostly positively. A neutral stance was held by 24.5% of respondents, negative assessments accounted for about 2.6%, and another 1.4% were undecided.
Thus, over five months, the share of positive assessments decreased by 3.3 percentage points—from 71.6% to 68.3%. The negative segment increased by approximately 1.3 percentage points, while the neutral segment rose by 2.1 percentage points. The balance between positive and negative attitudes decreased from approximately plus 69 to plus 64.4 percentage points.
At the same time, the most significant change occurred among respondents with the most strongly positive views: the share of entirely positive assessments decreased from 42.4% to 39.7%, while the share of mostly positive assessments remained close to previous levels—29.1% in March and 28.6% in August.
On an annual basis, the overall picture also remains stable. In August 2025, 72.7% of Ukrainians viewed Latvia positively, while 5.3% viewed it negatively. In other words, the current share of positive responses is slightly lower than a year ago, but the negative segment also remains smaller.
Oleksandr Pozniy, director of the research firm Active Group, commenting on the results of the previous survey wave regarding Latvia, attributed the high level of public support to the country’s consistent engagement with Ukraine.
“Ukrainians, in general, are very good at distinguishing 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 experience firsthand. That is precisely why even small countries can have a very strong positive image,” Pozniy noted.
The latest wave of the survey shows a slight decline in positive assessments of Latvia, but no fundamental shift in public perception. More than two-thirds of Ukrainians continue to view the country positively, while the share of negative responses remains below 4%.
The survey was conducted in August 2026 using an online self-administered questionnaire via the SunFlowerSociology panel among 800 Ukrainian citizens aged 18 and older. The maximum theoretical margin of error for indicators at the 50% confidence level is ±3.5 percentage points.
ACTIVE GROUP, BALTIC STATES, EUROPEAN UNION, EXPERTS CLUB, international relations, LATVIA, Pozniy, PUBLIC OPINION, SOCIOLOGY, UKRAINE
Norway continues to enjoy one of the highest levels of positive perception among Ukrainians: in August 2026, 72% of respondents viewed the country positively, while only 2.7% viewed it negatively. Compared to March, the positive rating has declined slightly, but the overall pattern of assessments remains stable, according to the Experts Club Information and Analytical Center.
According to the results of the August survey, 35.8% of Ukrainians view Norway entirely positively, and 36.2% view it mostly positively. A neutral stance is held by 24.1% of respondents. 2.3% view the country mostly negatively, 0.4% view it entirely negatively, and another 1.2% were undecided.
The balance of positive and negative assessments stands at plus 69.3 percentage points. Thus, positive attitudes toward Norway outweigh negative ones by more than 26 times. According to the overall survey results, the country remains among the leaders in terms of public sentiment, alongside Canada, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Finland.
In March 2026, 72.7% of respondents had a positive attitude toward Norway. At that time, 37.1% of those surveyed described their attitude as entirely positive, and 35.7% as mostly positive. A neutral stance was held by 24.2%, a negative one by 1.9%, and another 1.2% were undecided.
Thus, over the course of five months, the overall share of positive assessments decreased by only 0.7 percentage points—from 72.7% to 72%. The neutral segment remained virtually unchanged—24.2% in March versus 24.1% in August. At the same time, the share of negative responses increased by 0.8 percentage points—to 2.7%.
The balance between positive and negative attitudes decreased from approximately plus 70.8 to plus 69.3 percentage points. The changes remain insignificant and do not indicate a fundamental shift in attitudes toward the country: nearly three-quarters of Ukrainians continue to view Norway positively.
Oleksandr Pozniy, director of the research firm Active Group, commenting on the results of the previous wave, emphasized the stability of the established image of Norway.
“Ukrainians quite clearly differentiate between countries based on levels of trust and actual support. In the case of Norway, we see a consistently high level of positive sentiment, which is not shaped by current events but is based on a long-term perception of the country as a reliable partner. Even a slight decline in the figures does not change the overall picture—Norway remains one of the most positively viewed countries among all those surveyed,” Pozniy noted.
The results of the August wave effectively confirm this assessment. Despite a slight increase in the negative segment, it remains minimal, and the share of neutral responses has remained virtually unchanged. This distinguishes Norway from countries where public assessments have fluctuated significantly over the course of the year.
The previous survey wave was conducted in March 2026 among 800 Ukrainian citizens aged 18 and older using self-administered online questionnaires on the SunFlowerSociology panel. The sample was representative by age, gender, and region; the maximum theoretical margin of error for indicators at the 50% confidence level was ±3.5 percentage points.
ACTIVE GROUP, EXPERTS CLUB, international relations, NORTHERN EUROPE, NORWAY, Pozniy, PUBLIC OPINION, SOCIOLOGY, UKRAINE
