12 ‒ 16 January 2026
Dear Ms. Bondarenko,
russia is taking advantage of the bitterly cold January – in Kyiv, we have minus 15 degrees – to attack Ukrainian thermal power stations. Many homes are cold, there is hardly any electricity and the mood is miserable. Some people in Kyiv are going to bed in their down coats these days. It is also cold in the AHK office, and most people are sitting together in the library by the fireplace. But even though times are tough, Ukrainians joke that there are only 40 days left until spring and carry on.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is making progress in improving its governance and administration. The new Energy Minister, Denis Shmyhal, has everything it takes to manage the energy system. He was Prime Minister for a long time and, before his political career, was a power plant director. The head of the State Property Fund, which manages many state assets and companies, has also been newly appointed. Like Shmyhal, Dmytro Natalukha is considered a reasonable man and a good manager. We wish them both every success in their important jobs.
For us at the AHK, defence has been the most important industry for some time now. We have therefore advertised a position for a defence consultant who will bring German and Ukrainian companies together. In March, we want to bring German companies to Kyiv again to initiate cooperation. Click here for the programme and registration.
Kind regards from cold Ukraine
P.S.: Please send feedback to nataliia.hryshchenko@ukraine.ahk.de and / or reiner.perau@ukraine.ahk.de.
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