Piraeus Bank in Ukraine sponsored the year's first UBN Network Live Event—the War & Investment Conference, held in Kyiv on March 14. This quarterly event series, organized by the UBN Network, serves as a vital platform for discussions on Ukraine’s geopolitical landscape, foreign aid, and economic opportunities amid ongoing challenges.

The event brought together over 150 guests, including government officials, leading geopolitical experts, top business executives from Ukraine and abroad, and diplomats from foreign embassies.

The conference opened with a Geopolitical Outlook for Ukraine, presented by Mark McNamee, who analyzed various war scenarios. Live polling during the presentation revealed that approximately 80% of attendees believe the U.S. will continue providing aid to Ukraine under a Trump administration, a sentiment unchanged from three months prior.

Key Panel Discussions

Ceasefire Talks and Geopolitical Implications

Panelists:

•    Peter Dickinson, Editor at the Atlantic Council and Founder of Business Ukraine magazine
•    Oleksandr Merezhko, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs
•    Arsen Zhumadilov, Head of the Defense Procurement Agency for Ukraine

Key Takeaways:

•    Panelists agreed that a full withdrawal of U.S. support for Ukraine remains unlikely, even under a Trump administration.
•    European nations are expected to continue providing essential support to Ukraine.
•    The discussion highlighted the rapid advancement of drone technology and the importance of securing a robust supply chain.

Business Resilience and Investment in Uncertain Times

Panelists:

•    Igor Mazepa, Founder of Concorde Capital
•    Dmytro Ponomarenko, Chief of Strategy at Vodafone Ukraine
•    Alena Sumina, Head of the Legal Department at UkraineInvest

Key Takeaways:

•    Experts discussed promising sectors within Ukraine’s economy that offer high-reward investment opportunities despite existing risks.
•    The Ukrainian government has introduced various incentive programs to support businesses and attract foreign investment.
•    Ongoing negotiations regarding Ukraine’s mineral resources were a focal point of discussion.

Beyond the panel discussions, the event provided valuable networking opportunities for attendees.

Piraeus Bank remains committed to fostering collaboration and dialogue that drive Ukraine’s stability and economic growth. By supporting UBN Network’s events, we help create an environment where experts and decision-makers can exchange insights and navigate the evolving economic landscape.

“We are pleased to support the UBN Network Live Event series, which provides essential insights and fosters collaboration in these challenging times,” said Yannis Kyriakopoulos, CEO of Piraeus Bank ICB in Ukraine. “Events like these are crucial not only for businesses but also for Ukraine’s long-term resilience and prosperity.”