5 ‒ 9 January 2026
Dear friends of Ukraine,
The Ukrainian president has filled the most important posts in the country with new appointees: Secret service chief Budanov has become head of the presidential office. Digital Minister Fedorov is set to become defence minister. Both are young and respected and have an excellent track record in their previous posts.
Professional soldier Budanov has become so popular with his successful operations against the aggressor that he is being touted as Zelensky's successor. With Budanov, Zelensky is bringing more defence expertise into the presidential administration. Fedorov, born in the year of Ukraine's independence, is an entrepreneur and has digitised the Ukrainian administration. In a war where software and entrepreneurial spirit are in demand, the appointments are promising. Ukraine is therefore off to a good start in 2026 in terms of personnel. We wish Budanov and Fedorov every success.
In addition to new personnel, a new labour law is also in the pipeline. After almost 35 years of independence, Ukraine wants to move away from Soviet labour law. The government has submitted a corresponding bill to parliament. The draft is definitely better for companies than the old law, which is why we welcome it and will accompany the bill with our proposals until it is passed.
On a personal note: we invite you to our New Year's Reception on 3 February. We will welcome the President of the National Bank of Ukraine as a speaker and look forward to seeing you there.
In Kyiv, we will also soon be welcoming Anka Feldhusen back. The former ambassador is returning as ombudswoman for the economy, as was announced yesterday. We look forward to working with her.
We wish you a happy and successful 2026.
Kind regards
P.S.: Please send feedback to nataliia.hryshchenko@ukraine.ahk.de and / or reiner.perau@ukraine.ahk.de.
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New Year's Reception on 3 February 2026
We invite you to our New Year's Reception. Read more...
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- Transformer from a thermal power plant in Karlsruhe delivered to Ukraine to stabilise power supply
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