-
Over the past two-plus years of war in Ukraine, the economy of Ukraine has been hindered on multiple fronts due to Russian attacks on infrastructure, civilian housing, and businesses across the entire country. From direct strikes on the Port of Odessa, to strikes on energy infrastructure and power generation, Ukraine has been forced to endure constant resistance to maintain a status quo for it’s people and it’s economy. Since the beginning of the war, it has been a non-stop blitz on non-military targets that has stymied growth and forced limited expansion in the economy. However, despite the set backs and resistance, Ukraine has continued to innovate and grow it’s economy in sectors that are thriving due to the war. From invention of novel applications of hardware to the founding of new businesses and industry under new Intellectual Properties, Ukraine’s creativity has not been stopped, but has merely pivoted to the areas of need that have been identified. -
Let us go ahead and get the obvious out of the way, Ukraine is embroiled in a defensive war with Russia and it’s allies. However, even during war, things change as needed and adaptation is essential for survival. And just as any flora or fauna evolves and adapts to an ever changing and hostile environment, Ukraine is evolving and adapting to new challenges everyday. Both on the field of battle and off. Ukraine has been given the tasks of not just stopping a near-peer adversary, but of pushing them out of it’s territory, as well as changing it’s entire culture and mindset to adapt to becoming the newest member of Europe and the wider world as a reformed nation. Now, given that anytime a nation has decided, in the past, to rapidly industrialize, convert governments or economies, or even just update aspects of itself, these challenges have always been difficult and time consuming. And that is without a dragon breathing down your neck. Ukraine is doing all of this while at war. So it is not difficult to imagine why Ukraine’s transition to a more Western-centric leaning is taking so long. -
Before the Winter of 2022, the most I could tell you about Ukraine was that it was part of the Soviet Union prior to 1991, and that it was viewed as the Bread Basket of Europe. Upon crossing the border from Poland into Ukraine, within the first 5 minutes, I already knew that I knew nothing at all about Ukraine. I had just crossed into the unknown and had no inkling of what was in store for me as I started to create a new life for myself in this unknown nation.