Today's Contents
Reporter's Notepad:
- As our reader base rapidly grows, we offer a quick refresher on the ideas behind the layout of our daily newsletter
Just The Facts:
- US businesses to have priority in Ukraine's reconstruction, Zelensky says
- Ukraine needs 4.5 million more workers or reconstruction will 'take decades,' deputy PM says
- Ukraine starts exporting biomethane, with a shipment to the European Union
- Trump says he has spoken to Putin about ending Ukraine war
- UNDP opens 2 new 'Made in Ukraine' offices in Kharkiv to help local SMEs
- UK invests GBP 25 million in program with World Bank, UNICEF to support social protection in Ukraine
Here's What They Think:
- Eurasia Review: NATO loses confidence in Zelensky as Ukraine's leader
- Kyiv Post: Growing skepticism in Europe threatens continued aid to Ukraine
Sober Second Thought:
- Ukraine has revolutionized its military procurement with commercial tech integration, CSIS study says
Dear readers,
Anticipation of an end to the shooting is growing notably, online searches for information on the reconstruction have jumped and, correspondingly, the URN Daily readership is increasing rapidly.
We thought we'd take this occasion to outline the sections of our newsletter for new readers.
A clue to understanding the philosophy of our newsletter lies in the name of our mother company: The Whole News Company. We try to deliver the whole news, beyond just the headlines and formal interviews. The newsletter is designed to help us achieve that.
1 - Reporter's Notepad - This section is most often used to report on snippets of conversation overheard at one of the many Ukraine-focused conferences we attend, or comments from conversations and interviews that are interesting but weren't quite comprehensive enough for a full-blown story.
We also use this section to communicate directly to the reader, like now. It doesn't necessarily appear every day.
2 - Just the Facts - Here we present the news, traditional style, related to the reconstruction of Ukraine.
3 - Here's What They Think - In this section, we cover opinion pieces and op-eds from media around the world related to Ukraine and the reconstruction.
4 - The Sober Second Thought - We are surprised at the sheer volume of scientific and academic studies related to the economic situation in Ukraine and the reconstruction. Every day we present you a new one, with a comprehensive summary.
5 - The Rebuilders' Social - We monitor social media for posts related to the reconstruction of Ukraine. We focus on posts that convey news, educate or are just plain interesting.
Another important aspect of our coverage is the conference circuit. We cover as much of it as we can, and bring you summaries, reports and even full transcripts. This will soon become a separate section, likely called The Meetings.
As always, we appreciate any and all comments, suggestions, tips or observations. Please email the editor directly at adam.brown@ukrainerebuildnews.com if you feel even the slightest urge.
Now, on with the news ...
US businesses to have priority in Ukraine's reconstruction, Zelensky says
US companies should be given priority in taking part in Ukraine's reconstruction, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky told Reuters in an interview on Friday.
"Those who defend us will rebuild Ukraine. And here, in addition to gratitude, it is a lot of money for business," Zelensky said. "The Americans helped the most, and therefore the Americans should earn the most. And they should have this priority, and they will. I would also like to talk about this with President Trump."
Speaking of Ukraine's rare earth minerals deposits, Zelensky stated: "This is very rich land. This does not mean that we are giving it away to anyone, even to strategic partners. We are talking about partnership ... Let's develop this together, make money, and most importantly, it's about the security of the Western world..."
"(The investment models) could be different ... The partners agree on how they will invest. Sometimes it is 50-50, if there are two partners; maybe three or four ... the United States are the first - we first shared this plan with them," Zelensky said.
Last week, US President Donald Trump said he wants Ukraine to provide the US with rare earth minerals as compensation for US financial support in its war against Russia, explaining he wanted to see some "equalization" from Ukraine for Washington's "close to $300 billion" in support.
Zelensky also commented on Ukraine potentially buying and storing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US after the transit of the Russian gas through the country's territory ended.
"It is very interesting for us, I know it's very interesting for the Trump administration," Zelensky said. "We are ready and willing to have contracts for LNG supplies to Ukraine. And of course, we will be a hub for the whole of Europe," he stated, echoing last week's comments by Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
"We are ready to have contracts and to enable it through us to other EU countries, with pleasure," Zelensky stated. "I know that our American partners support it. We are also ready to let our American partners into this sector, into this market. I think this is also part of the security for Ukraine and Europe, because this is not Russian gas."
Ukraine needs 4.5 million more workers or reconstruction will 'take decades,' deputy PM says
Ukraine will need an additional 4.5 million workers over the next decade to support a successful post-war recovery at the current level of productivity, the country's deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Unity Oleksiy Chernyshov said on Saturday.
"If additional people are not involved in the labor market and productivity are not increased, the reconstruction will last for decades," Chernyshov stated.
The war, which forced 6 million people to flee Ukraine, has exacerbated a labor shortage the country had been facing even before the Russian full-scale invasion in 2022.
Chernyshov wrote in a post on Facebook that, by 2035, 2 million more workers will leave the labor market due to various factors.
Before the invasion, Ukraine's GDP amounted to $200 billion, with state expenditure standing at $80 billion. In the times of war and the rebuilding, the needs are, however, much higher - over $110 billion a year, Chernyshov explained.
"In order to balance such spending, in order to survive and rebuild Ukraine in the next decade, it is necessary to double the GDP," which means that the country's economy must grow at least 7% every year, Chernyshov wrote.
Chernyshov noted that there are two ways to reduce the workforce shortage - increasing labor productivity and maximizing employee engagement.
When it comes to labor productivity, Ukraine needs investment and development of innovation, while employee engagement can be tackled with the preservation and development of internal human capital, return of those who left the country, as well as by involving a highly skilled foreign workforce, Chernyshov said.
Ukraine starts exporting biomethane, with a shipment to the European Union
Ukraine has started exporting biomethane to the European Union (EU), with the volume of the first shipment equaling 67,000 cubic meters, Ukraine's government said.
"The start of biomethane exports from Ukraine to the EU is an important step in strengthening energy independence and integration of our country into the European energy space," Ukraine's Energy Minister German Galushchenko said.
Ukrainian producers can export biomethane to the EU via the Ukrainian gas transmission system by connecting biomethane plants to both the gas transmission and gas distribution networks, the government said in a press release on Friday.
The export was carried out by Ukrainian biomethane producer Vitagro Energy, the country's gas transmission system operator, LLC Gas TSO of Ukraine, said in a post on LinkedIn.
In 2023, the EU and Ukraine signed a MoU on a strategic partnership on biomethane, hydrogen, and other synthetic gases, which builds upon the REPowerEU Plan that the European Commission (EC) rolled out in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, seeking to secure its energy independence.
Under the plan, the EU's biomethane production needs to reach 35 billion cubic meters per year by 2030 and the estimated investment needed for the period amounts to €37 billion.
Biomethane is a purified form of biogas with properties similar to natural gas. It can be used for heating, electricity generation, and as a transport fuel. Notably, biomethane can be seamlessly integrated into existing gas infrastructure without requiring new networks, enabling its widespread use.
Trump says he has spoken to Putin about ending Ukraine war
US President Donald Trump told the New York Post in an interview that he has spoken with Russia's President Vladimir Putin over the phone in an effort to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.
Trump declined to specify how many times he has spoken with Putin, but said that Russia's president cares about killing on the battlefield.
"He wants to see people stop dying," Trump said about Putin. "All those dead people. Young, young, beautiful people. They're like your kids, two million of them – and for no reason."
In the interview from Air Force One published on Saturday, Trump also stated the war in Ukraine "never would have happened" if he had been president in 2022, adding he has a concrete plan to end it.
"I hope it's fast," Trump said. "Every day people are dying. This war is so bad in Ukraine. I want to end this damn thing."
Addressing National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who joined him in his study aboard Air Force One, Trump said: "Let's get these meetings going. They want to meet. Every day people are dying. Young handsome soldiers are being killed. Young men, like my sons. On both sides. All over the battlefield."
On Sunday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agency TASS he could "neither confirm nor deny" that Trump and Putin spoke on the phone about the Ukraine war.
"What can be said about this news: as the administration in Washington unfolds its work, many different communications arise," Peskov said. "These communications are conducted through different channels. And of course, amid the multiplicity of these communications, I personally may not know something, be unaware of something."
Also on Sunday, Trump's National Security Advisor Mike Waltz told NBC in an interview that top administration officials will meet with European officials this week about how to end the war in Ukraine.
Unnamed sources told Bloomberg earlier that Trump's administration will unveil a plan to end the war at the Feb 14-16 Munich Security Conference in Germany.
UNDP opens 2 new 'Made in Ukraine' offices in Kharkiv to help local SMEs
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine has opened two new "Made in Ukraine" offices in the country to help local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The new offices were launched in Chuhuiv and Nova Vodolaha in the Kharkiv region as part of a national initiative supporting the growth of Ukrainian enterprises.
Kharkiv region has been a key hub for retail real estate and small businesses in Ukraine, but the full-scale war has severely impacted entrepreneurship in the region, UNDP said in a press release on Friday.
According to the European Business Association, the ease of doing business index has dropped by 50%. Despite this setback, the situation has stabilized, and the region now ranks among the top three in approved grant applications.
The "Made in Ukraine" regional offices in Chuhuiv and Nova Vodolaha serve as inclusive hubs where entrepreneurs can explore and apply for state and regional development programs, as per the statement.
These offices offer training on starting or expanding a business, guidance on grant applications, and expert assistance in navigating interactions with government agencies, banks, and other institutions.
Currently, 80 "Made in Ukraine" offices operate across Ukraine.
UK invests GBP 25 million in program with World Bank, UNICEF to support social protection in Ukraine
The UK government has launches SPIRIT Programme (Social Protection for Inclusion, Resilience, Innovation and Transformation) to support inclusive social protection systems in Ukraine.
The programme — which was launched in collaboration with UNICEF and the World Bank — includes GBP 25 million ($31.04 million) of UK funding.
SPIRIT will "revitalise community and family-based services," and support the foreign secretary's efforts in ensuring a safe family for every child by improving social care services for 10,000 families in 10 regions, the UK government said in a press release.
The programme will also support Ukraine's Ministry of Social Policy in establishing a Social Recovery Office to drive reforms, improve coordination in the sector, and enhance collaboration with international partners.
"SPIRIT is a testament to 100 Year Partnership and shared values between our two countries, including our commitment to meet the needs of women, children, people with disabilities, older people, veterans, and marginalised groups," said the British Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris.
In January, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a 100-year partnership agreement to deepen cooperation between the two countries in defense, economy, education, science, technology, and other areas.
Eurasia Review: NATO loses confidence in Zelensky as Ukraine's leader
NATO is reportedly growing impatient with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as concerns mount over his leadership, the prolonged conflict with Russia, and his continued requests for Western military and financial aid without clear accountability, according to an op-ed published by the Eurasia Review.
While some still view Zelensky as a heroic wartime leader, others—including critics in the West—question his strategic decisions, raising speculation about whether NATO may consider a leadership change in Ukraine to facilitate negotiations with Russia, the op-ed says.
Kyiv Post: Growing skepticism in Europe threatens continued aid to Ukraine
As the war in Ukraine nears its three-year mark, European and US leaders are facing increasing pressure to reconsider their support for Kyiv, according to an op-ed published by the Kyiv Post.
Rising nationalist sentiment, economic concerns, and political shifts in Europe—exemplified by leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s Robert Fico—have fueled skepticism about continued aid, raising the prospect of forced peace negotiations that could weaken Ukraine’s position against Russia, according to the op-ed.
Ukraine has revolutionized military procurement with commercial tech integration, CSIS says
Ukraine has restructured its military acquisition system to incorporate commercial technology, marking a significant departure from its past reliance on state-owned defense enterprises, according to a study published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
The study examines Ukraine's shift from a centralized, state-controlled defense industry to a model that prioritizes commercial sector innovation. The research methodology includes an analysis of regulatory changes, interviews with government officials and industry stakeholders, and a review of military procurement policies.
Data collected for the study highlights the accelerated timeline of defense technology development, comparing pre-2022 procurement processes with post-2022 streamlined approaches. Figures illustrate the reduction in approval times, with some systems moving from concept to deployment in a matter of months rather than years.
Ukraine's military reform was driven by the need for rapid adaptation following Russia's 2022 invasion. The government facilitated the integration of civilian technological advancements into defense systems by removing bureaucratic barriers, expediting procurement, and encouraging collaboration between private companies and the armed forces.
The findings indicate that Ukraine's decentralized procurement model has improved responsiveness to battlefield requirements. Military units now have direct purchasing authority, allowing them to acquire necessary equipment without waiting for lengthy state approval processes.
The adoption of off-the-shelf commercial products has further enhanced military efficiency. The study noted that drone procurement, for example, has surged, with Ukraine allocating 6.7% of its defense budget in 2025 to unmanned systems.
Additionally, the government has implemented new testing and evaluation procedures to ensure rapid assessment of new military technologies. The study details the role of platforms like Brave1, which connects military personnel with commercial developers to address operational needs in real time.
The study concludes that Ukraine's military acquisition reforms have enabled faster innovation cycles and reduced dependency on legacy Soviet-era systems. The decentralized approach, combined with private sector collaboration, has positioned Ukraine as a model for defense modernization.
Recommendations include continued regulatory flexibility, sustained investment in commercial partnerships, and increased funding for emerging defense technologies. The study suggests that Ukraine’s experience offers insights for other nations seeking to enhance military procurement efficiency.
Social Media Posts
Russians Just 4.7 kms from Interpipe
Ukrainian Economy Minister and First Deputy Prime Minister Iulia Svyrydenko highlighted pipe manufacturer Interpipe, which she said makes products used in the London Underground, in two-thirds of Dubai's skyscrapers and in 80 countries.
The pipes, though, are manufactured just 4.7 kilometers from Russian army positions—at the Interpipe Niko Tube plant in Nikopol, Ukraine. "Only a river separates them—Nikopol remains under the Ukrainian flag, while on the other bank, Ukrainian Enerhodar is temporarily under the tricolor."
Japanese help rebuilding
The Confederation of Builders of Ukraine (CBU), which says it represents more than 900 member companies, recapped a meeting with Japanese interests including representatives of Metal Products Inc, which "aims to use its extensive experience to help rebuild Ukraine."
At the meeting, CBU CEO Oleksandr Chervak told the representatives, including Deloitte Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), of the "prospects for cooperation, potential investment sectors, priority reconstruction needs, and the current challenges in Ukraine’s construction market that require attention."
Loans, Grants and Guarantees
Miltton Ukraine, a business consultancy focused on Nordic countries, promoted an article targeting offering recommendations for international companies seeking to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine.
The article, in the form of an attached gallery, offers tips on securing loans, grants and guarantees through international financial institutions, development agencies or banks via the Ukraine Investment Framework (UIF).
Lean Philosophy
Vyacheslav Klymov, co-founder of Nova Group, which includes delivery company Nova Post, financial services provider NovaPay, cross-border service provider Nova Global and others, posted details of the group's emphasis on the "lean" concept.
Every two months, he said, the group holds a "lean fair," where teams from various department showcase their projects. The top award went to the NovaPay team for their project that "replaced POS terminals leased from banks with our own devices. As a result, customer service time was cut by a third, and the transaction failures that were common with leased terminals disappeared."
New Energy Sector Laws
The Ukrainian Wind Energy Association, a national organization that supports wind energy technologies, promoted an article explaining a new law, signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, creating a new service by transmission system operater NPC Ukrenergo.
As part of a new service, Ukrenergo now allows developers of wind energy projects (20 MW or more) to reserve grid connection solutions for up to two years, providing greater certainty for project planning. This service helps streamline the integration of renewable energy into Ukraine’s power grid by ensuring developers secure access in advance.
EBA Global Outlook
Anna Derevyanko, executive director of the European Business Association (EBA), which represents more than 900 European businesses in Ukraine, recapped the organization's Global Outlook event held last week.
"Together with the Ministry of Energy, we discussed whether we’ll have power, and with the National Bank – whether we’ll have money. Spoiler: no energy or financial blackout is expected 😊"
'Financial hub' for reconstruction
Natalia Butkova-Vitvitska, a member of the board at Oschadbank, or the State Savings Bank of Ukraine, published a LinkedIn post calling the lender the "financial hub for Ukraine's reconstruction."
"In light of the changes in U.S. leadership, it’s crucial to reaffirm our transparency, stability, and readiness for international standards of cooperation," she wrote. "We are actively collaborating with EBRD, EIB/EIF, EFSE (EU), USAID, and the governments of Germany, Denmark, Luxembourg, and Norway to create new opportunities for Ukrainian entrepreneurs."
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