China remains the undisputed leader among Ukraine’s trading partners in terms of import volume. In the first six months of 2025, Ukraine imported Chinese goods worth US$8.15 billion. This is more than twice the figures for Poland ($3.58 billion) and Germany ($3.18 billion), which ranked second and third, respectively.
High import volumes were also recorded from Turkey ($2.53 billion) and the United States ($2.31 billion). Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and France round out the top ten key suppliers with volumes ranging from $1.2 billion to $979 million.
“The formation of such an import structure indicates Ukraine’s excessive dependence on Chinese goods, especially in the electronics, technology, and industrial products segments. Such an imbalance poses risks to economic stability, as any political or logistical restrictions will immediately affect the domestic market,” emphasized Maksim Urakin, founder of Experts Club and economist.
At the same time, experts point to the diversification of supplies from European Union countries. Poland, Germany, Italy, and France together account for more than $8.5 billion in imports, forming a significant segment of the domestic consumer and industrial market.
Economists predict that, provided the hryvnia exchange rate remains stable and import flows continue at current levels, the trade deficit with China will continue to grow. This will require an adjustment of state trade policy towards stimulating domestic production and searching for alternative markets.
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According to the results of a survey conducted by Active Group in collaboration with Experts Club in August 2025, Ukrainians identified priority areas for the development of foreign economic relations.
The majority of respondents – 81.3% – believe that Ukraine should first and foremost develop economic cooperation with the countries of the European Union. The United Kingdom also received a high level of support – 66.5%, while the United States came in third with 62.7%.
Citizens also pay significant attention to Asian countries: 36.2% of respondents support expanding relations with Southeast Asian countries (Japan, South Korea, etc.), and 31.7% with China. At the same time, 29.5% pointed to the importance of deepening cooperation with countries in the Arab and Muslim world.
To a lesser extent, respondents are focused on partnerships with African and South American countries — this direction was supported by 14.8% of Ukrainians. Another 8.3% of respondents were undecided, and 1.0% believe that Ukraine does not need any new economic partnerships.
“These data clearly demonstrate the European and transatlantic orientation of Ukrainians in terms of economic priorities. The EU, the UK, and the US form the basis of foreign economic trust, while Asia and the Arab world are perceived as promising but secondary partners,” commented Active Group Director Oleksandr Pozniy.
According to Experts Club co-founder Maksim Urakin, the survey results confirm the real economic structure of Ukraine’s trade.
“The EU is already Ukraine’s main trading partner, accounting for over 40% of trade turnover, but if we analyze individual countries, China remains the leader. The high levels of support for cooperation with the UK and the US reflect society’s trust in Ukraine’s political and economic partners during this difficult period. At the same time, interest in Asia and the Arab world indicates the need to diversify markets and seek new opportunities in the future,” he stressed.
The survey was conducted using self-completed questionnaires among 800 Ukrainian citizens aged 18 and older. The sample is representative in terms of age, gender, and region.
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According to the results of a study conducted by Active Group and Experts Club in August 2025, Ukrainians rated the role of European Union countries in promoting peace in Ukraine the highest.
According to the survey, 42.0% of respondents believe that the EU (primarily France and Germany) is making the greatest contribution to the peace process. 25.8% of respondents noted the key role of the United States, and 12.8% noted the key role of the United Kingdom. At the same time, 11.7% of Ukrainians believe that no country is contributing to the establishment of peace, while 5.8% were unable to decide on an answer. Significantly fewer respondents noted other countries: China — 1.3%, India — 0.5%, Brazil — 0.2%.
“The results show that Ukrainians rate the diplomatic and political efforts of the EU and the US highest. Together with the UK, these countries form the main international triangle of trust for Ukrainian society,” said Active Group Director Oleksandr Pozniy.
Maksim Urakin, co-founder of Experts Club, emphasized the economic dimension of the partnership.
“For our country, it is important not only to have a political partnership with the EU, the US, and the UK, but also an economic one. China, on the other hand, despite its leadership in trade with Ukraine, remains on the periphery of the peace process,” he said.
The survey was part of a large-scale project by Active Group and Experts Club to study Ukraine’s international image and foreign policy orientations.
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The results of a survey conducted by Active Group and Experts Club in August 2025 show that Ukrainians have a very favorable attitude towards Denmark.
Thus, 73.7% of respondents expressed a positive attitude (33.3% — completely positive, 40.3% — mostly positive). Only 1.3% of respondents gave negative assessments, while 22.7% took a neutral position and 2.3% admitted to being insufficiently informed about the country.
“Denmark is perceived by Ukrainians as a sincere partner and reliable ally in the current circumstances. The high level of trust reflects both humanitarian aid and consistent political support for Ukraine from Copenhagen,” said Active Group CEO Oleksandr Pozniy.
Maksim Urakin, co-founder of Experts Club, analyzed trade and economic indicators:
“According to the results of January-August 2025, trade turnover between Ukraine and Denmark amounted to about $279 million. Exports of Ukrainian goods reached $109.3 million, while imports from Denmark exceeded $169.6 million. As a result, there was a negative balance of $60.3 million. This indicates that, despite very warm public sentiment, Ukraine should work to strengthen its exports to the Danish market,” the expert emphasized.
Thus, Denmark remains one of the most positively perceived countries among Ukrainians, but the economic component of relations requires more balanced development.
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Eurostat has published data on minimum wages in EU countries, which show significant differences: from €551 in Bulgaria to €2,704 in Luxembourg.
According to the report, the minimum wage is officially established in only 22 of the 27 EU countries. In Denmark, Italy, Finland, and Sweden, there is no legislative regulation of the minimum wage.
Countries with the highest minimum wage (in euros, August 2025):
Luxembourg — €2,704
Ireland — over 2,000
Netherlands — over 2,000
Germany — over 2,000
Belgium — over 2,000
Medium level (from 1,000 to 1,500 euros):
– France, Slovenia, Spain, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Czech Republic, Portugal, Croatia, Slovakia, Greece.
Low level (from €600 to €900):
– Hungary, Latvia, Romania.
Minimum in the EU:
– Bulgaria – €551.
Experts note that such significant differences reflect both the level of economic development of countries and their social policies. High minimum wages are characteristic of Western European countries, while in Eastern Europe, base rates remain several times lower.
Cyprus will make every effort to open negotiation clusters with Ukraine during its presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2026. This was stated by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cyprus to Ukraine, Michalis Firillas, during a meeting with a representative of Interfax-Ukraine.
“Accession to the European Union provides indirect security: economic, social, in terms of democratic norms and values, as well as freedoms for citizens. We will do everything possible during our presidency to open negotiations with Ukraine on clusters of European legislation,” the diplomat said.
Firillas stressed that Cyprus is working closely on this issue with Denmark and Poland, as well as with European institutions in Brussels. “We want to see progress – this is the common conclusion that unites our Polish and Danish colleagues and all relevant EU structures,” he said.
The ambassador also stressed that Cyprus clearly supports the independence, territorial integrity, sovereignty of Ukraine and its European perspective.
Commenting on the decision-making process in the EU, Firilas stressed the importance of preserving the principle of unanimity. “This is the position of many small countries. It is one of the key elements of the political process in Europe – not to hold anyone hostage, but as a mechanism for expressing national interests,” he added.
From July 1, 2025, Denmark will take over the presidency of the EU Council from Poland; it will last until the end of the year. The presidency will then pass to Cyprus.
