Business news from Ukraine

Business news from Ukraine

Ukrainians increasingly viewing Bulgaria in positive light, with negative sentiment on decline

Ukrainians’ attitudes toward Bulgaria in March 2026 show a clear trend toward improvement. According to 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, 53.8% of respondents rate their attitude toward this country as positive, which is significantly higher compared to 44.3% in August 2025. At the same time, the share of negative assessments decreased from 3.7% to 2.3%, indicating a gradual strengthening of the country’s positive image.

In the breakdown of responses, 14.2% of respondents indicated a “completely positive” attitude toward Bulgaria, while another 39.6% described it as “mostly positive.” The share of neutral assessments remains significant at 42.4%, indicating a moderate or insufficiently formed perception among a significant portion of respondents. Negative assessments are limited in scope: 2.1% answered “mostly negative,” only 0.2% — “completely negative,” while 1.4% of respondents were undecided.

The trend is telling: the increase in positive assessments by more than 9 percentage points is accompanied by a simultaneous decline in the negative segment. This means that some respondents who previously held a reserved or critical stance are gradually shifting toward a positive perception.

At the same time, the high proportion of neutral responses indicates that Bulgaria’s image remains less distinct for a significant portion of Ukrainians compared to countries that have a more active presence in the public sphere or are associated with key political processes. In such cases, public opinion forms gradually and depends largely on the informational context and personal experience

 

An important feature is that even with a large neutral group, negative attitudes toward Bulgaria remain minimal. This creates a favorable foundation for further strengthening the country’s positive image in Ukrainian society.

“Ukrainians do not form their assessments in isolation—they react to the informational context and their own experience of interacting with countries. Where there are more signals and clear actions, we see an increase in positive assessments. Bulgaria is gradually moving into the group of countries with a consistently positive perception,” noted Oleksandr Pozniy, director of the research company Active Group.

Thus, the survey results indicate that Bulgaria is strengthening its position in the public opinion of Ukrainians. The growth of positive attitudes against a backdrop of low negative sentiment creates potential for the further development of bilateral relations at both the social and economic levels.

According to a study conducted by the Experts Club information and analytical center based on data from the State Customs Service, Bulgaria ranks twelfth in total trade volume of goods with Ukraine, with a figure of $2.99 billion. At the same time, imports of Bulgarian products exceed Ukrainian exports, resulting in a negative trade balance.

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 Turkey Remain Predominantly Positive with an Improving Trend

The results of a public opinion sociological survey conducted in March 2026 by the research company Active Group in cooperation with the information and analytical center Experts Club indicate a moderately positive and stable attitude of Ukrainians toward Turkey. In total, 55.0% of respondents evaluate the country positively, while negative attitudes account for only 5.6%. Compared to August 2025, positive assessments have increased (from 52.3%), while negative ones, on the contrary, have decreased (from 8.0%), indicating an overall improvement in perception.

The structure of responses demonstrates the predominance of moderate positivity. The share of “completely positive” attitudes is 14.5%, while “mostly positive” accounts for 40.6%. This means that the positive perception of Turkey is widespread, but mostly does not have an unconditional character.

At the same time, the share of neutral assessments is significant — 36.4%. This indicator shows that for a large portion of respondents, Turkey remains a country toward which a rather restrained or pragmatic attitude has been formed, without clearly expressed emotional accents.

The negative segment is relatively small and predominantly moderate in nature: 5.1% of respondents chose the option “mostly negative,” while only 0.5% selected “completely negative.” The share of those who were unable to determine their answer is 3.0%, which indicates a sufficient level of formed opinions among the majority of respondents.

The comparative dynamics between 2025 and 2026 demonstrate a positive trend: the growth in the share of positive assessments is accompanied by a reduction in negative ones. This indicates a gradual strengthening of Turkey’s positive image in Ukrainian society. At the same time, the high level of neutral responses indicates that this perception remains open to further changes.

From an analytical point of view, such a structure of assessments reflects the pragmatic nature of the attitude. Turkey is perceived as an important, but not unquestionable partner, toward which Ukrainians maintain a certain distance. The positive balance of assessments indicates the presence of trust; however, the significant share of neutrality means that this trust is not fully consolidated.

“In the case of Turkey, we see a characteristic example of moderately positive perception with a high share of neutral assessments. This means that attitudes are formed not on the basis of emotions, but rather through practical experience and the current context of interaction. Such results are usually more sensitive to change and can quickly respond to new signals,” said Oleksandr Pozniy, Director of the research company Active Group.

Overall, the results of the study indicate that Turkey occupies an intermediate position in Ukrainians’ perceptions: on the one hand, there is a clearly positive balance; on the other, a lack of full emotional definiteness. This creates potential for further strengthening of a positive image, but at the same time means that it requires constant confirmation through real results of cooperation.

According to a study conducted by the Experts Club information and analytical center based on data from the State Customs Service, Turkey ranks fourth in terms of trade in goods with Ukraine, exceeding $8.9 billion. The country is an important partner in the Black Sea region, although the trade balance also remains negative for Ukraine.

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 via a link on the Experts Club analytical center’s website.

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Ukrainians view Netherlands positively and show almost no negative attitudes

Ukrainians’ attitudes toward the Netherlands in March 2026 are characterized by one of the highest levels of positive perception among all countries surveyed. According to 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, 72.7% of respondents describe their attitude as positive, which is significantly higher compared to 63.3% in August 2025. At the same time, the share of negative assessments dropped from 2.3% to 1.2%, which effectively indicates an almost complete absence of critical sentiment.

A breakdown of the results shows that 34.3% of respondents have a “completely positive” attitude toward the Netherlands, while another 38.5% have a “mostly positive” one. The share of neutral assessments stands at 24.2%, which is a relatively low figure compared to other countries. Negative assessments are minimal: 0.7% are “mostly negative” and 0.5% are “completely negative,” while 1.9% of respondents were undecided.

A comparison with the previous period demonstrates not only an increase in positive perceptions but also a further “cleansing” of public opinion of negative assessments. This trend is significant, as the Netherlands is among the countries with the highest level of stable support within Ukrainian society.

Unlike many other countries, where a significant portion of respondents hold a neutral position, in the case of the Netherlands, a clearly formed positive attitude dominates. This means that the country has a distinct and clear image in the perception of Ukrainians, one associated with reliability and predictability.

The increase in positive ratings by more than 9 percentage points indicates growing trust and a strengthening of the Netherlands’ image. At the same time, the decrease in the already low level of negative responses suggests the absence of significant factors that could shape a critical perception.

“Ukrainians quite clearly distinguish between countries toward which they have formed a stable positive attitude, and the Netherlands belongs precisely to this group. Where a country has a clear position and consistency in its interactions, we see not just high ratings, but their continued growth. This means that public opinion reacts not to specific situations, but to systemic signals,” noted Oleksandr Pozniy, director of the research company Active Group.

Thus, the survey results indicate that the Netherlands is consolidating its status as a country with one of the best images in Ukraine. A high level of positive sentiment, minimal negative ratings, and stable growth dynamics form the basis for further strengthening bilateral relations in both the social and economic spheres.

According to a study conducted by the Experts Club information and analytical center based on data from the State Customs Service, the Netherlands ranks eleventh in terms of total trade in goods with Ukraine, amounting to $3.01 billion. This is one of the few countries in the upper part of the ranking where Ukraine has a trade surplus, as exports of Ukrainian goods 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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U.S. Department of Agriculture has maintained its forecast for corn exports from Ukraine in 2025–2026 marketing year at 22 million tons

In its April report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) left its forecast for Ukraine’s corn harvest in the 2025–2026 marketing year (MY) unchanged at 30.7 million tons and exports at 22.0 million tons.
The estimate of Ukraine’s ending corn stocks also remained unchanged at 2.95 million tons.
Globally, the USDA raised its forecast for corn production in the 2025-2026 MY to 1,301.07 million tons, exports to 207.29 million tons, and ending stocks to 294.81 million tons. The agency attributes the adjustments in the corn segment in the April report mainly to South Africa, where harvest and export estimates have been raised, while figures for Argentina and Brazil remain unchanged.

 

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U.S. Department of Agriculture has lowered its forecast for wheat exports from Ukraine in 2025–2026 marketing year to 12.5 million tons

In its April report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) lowered its forecast for wheat exports from Ukraine in the 2025–2026 marketing year (MY) to 12.5 million tons from 13.5 million tons, a decrease of 1.0 million tons (7.4%). Meanwhile, the estimate for Ukraine’s wheat harvest remains unchanged at 24.0 million tons, while the forecast for ending stocks has been raised to 3.93 million tons, an increase of 0.8 million tons.
Globally, the USDA raised its forecast for wheat production in the 2025–2026 MY to 844.15 million tons, while the estimate for global exports was lowered to 221.88 million tons, and ending stocks could rise to 283.12 million tons. Among major exporters, the agency raised its harvest estimate for the EU to 145.11 million tons and for Russia to 90.3 million tons, while increasing its forecast for Russian exports to 44.5 million tons.

 

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Ukrainians’ attitude towards Poland remains generally positive, but is becoming more balanced

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 analysis centre show that Ukrainians’ attitude towards Poland remains consistently positive, yet is becoming more nuanced. Overall, 56.4% of respondents view Poland positively, whilst 14.7% view it negatively. Compared to August 2025, the proportion of positive views has remained almost unchanged (56.7%), whilst negative views have risen from 12.7% to 14.7%.

The breakdown of responses indicates a predominance of moderate views. The proportion of ‘entirely positive’ attitudes stands at 19.3%, whilst ‘mostly positive’ attitudes account for 37.1%. At the same time, the proportion of neutral views remains significant at 27.5%. This means that for a significant proportion of respondents, Poland does not evoke clearly defined emotional reactions, but is perceived rather through a pragmatic lens.

Negative attitudes are also predominantly moderate in nature: 12.4% of respondents chose the ‘mostly negative’ option, and only 2.3% chose ‘completely negative’. The proportion of those who were undecided is minimal (1.4%), indicating that Ukrainians’ perceptions of the country are sufficiently well-formed.

The dynamics of change between 2025 and 2026 indicate a certain increase in criticality in the perception of Poland. Whilst the overall positive balance is maintained, the proportion of unequivocally positive assessments is gradually decreasing, whilst the proportion of negative ones is increasing. This trend may indicate a shift from an emotionally positive to a more measured and rational perception.

It is important to note that, at the same time, Poland remains a country with a predominantly positive image in Ukrainian society. The ratio of positive to negative assessments, which is more than three times in favour of the positive, indicates that a high level of trust and a generally favourable attitude are maintained. At the same time, the growth in the negative component signals the emergence of new factors influencing public opinion.

The high proportion of neutral responses deserves special attention. This may indicate that, for some respondents, Poland is not an emotionally polarising factor, but is perceived as an important, though not unquestionable, partner. In such a situation, even minor changes in the information landscape or practical interactions could influence the balance of assessments in the future.

“Ukrainians do not view the world in black and white and assess other countries quite objectively. Where there is more information and experience of interaction, a more balanced attitude is formed. At the same time, even minor changes in the political or information environment can influence the dynamics of assessments,” noted Oleksandr Pozniy, director of the research company Active Group.

Overall, the survey results indicate that attitudes towards Poland in Ukraine remain consistently positive, but are gradually becoming more complex and multi-dimensional. This reflects a general trend towards the rationalisation of public opinion, where countries are assessed not only on the basis of emotions, but also taking into account specific experiences of interaction and the current context.

According to a study conducted by the Experts Club information and analytical centre based on data from the State Customs Service, Poland ranks second in terms of total trade in goods with Ukraine, with a figure of over $13 billion, second only to China. At the same time, Poland remains one of Ukraine’s key trading partners within the EU, although the trade balance is also negative for Ukraine.

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

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