An Extra Pair of Hands

The government should have embarked on modernizing the Ukrainian economy yesterday. Today, 46 million people are far too many for it. Tomorrow could be even worse

Milking the Cash Cow

Unemployment does not decline as good currency issuance is channeled into bad assets

Till the Cows Come Home

Tough political reality could shatter handsome economic deals within the CIS

Verdict for Investors

The Ukrainian government commands no admiration in the EBRD

By Hook or by Crook

Ukraine risks losing control over its domestic gas market to Gazprom

Expensive Justice

Court fees have been greatly increased in Ukraine. This will ease the financial situation of courts but will also limit court access for most citizens

Tango-Stepping on a Rake

Why NBU's regulation fails to curb monetary hunger

The Super-Rich Shall Inherit the Earth

British journalist Stephen Armstrong shares his concern about oligarchs pushing democratic institutions in the world to the sideline

Surviving on a ‘Biological Norm’

According to Anatoliy Blyzniuk, one-time Governor of Donetsk Oblast, UAH 2,500 is perfectly enough for a person to live on. The Ukrainian Week investigates whether Mr. Blyzniuk is right

The Bond Game

The government is trying to get off the IMF needle but is not prepared for the pain of withdrawal. Ukraine’s sovereign debt and fiscal load are set to grow in 2012, and default may become a reality in 2013

Property Redistribution

A draft law on decriminalizing economic crimes gives the green light to raider schemes

War and Myth

The uproar surrounding the gas wars hides the real roots of Ukraine’s energy dependence. It originates from oligarchs who prefer not to modernise their plants and rely on their shadow arrangements with Russia

Parking Corruption

Smart dealers fleece drivers for over UAH 100 million for parking in Kyiv

Capital Challenges

If technology collapses, Ukraine’s economy is doomed to crisis after crisis

Just Do It!

Can the government complete the first practical energy source diversification project and reduce dependence on Russia?

Ukrainian Oligarchs

The first steps

Energy With No Alternative

The draft update of the Energy Strategy of Ukraine through 2030 places major emphasis on developing the electrical power industry sector on the foundation of the coal and nuclear industries

Inflation Springboard

Memories of last-year’s government moves in the agricultural sector are still fuelling prices

Regulatory Squeeze

Economic growth will not take place without true deregulation and improved tax conditions for small and medium businesses.

Ukraine Must Change Its Position In Gas Talks

Recent events in the center of Europe proof again that he who controls the infrastructure has the best chance of success

The Grim Outlook for Pensions and Pensioners

Instead of initiating a full-fledged pension reform the government will simply make life harder for the retired living on the existing pay-as-you-go pension scheme

Azarov’s Machine Gun

The government has shifted the blame for delayed VAT compensation to business owners

There’s Always a Plan

National projects are not so much determined by the interests of Ukraine, but by those of business structures, that are linked to politicians

Tighten Your Belts

Export dynamics, inflation and privatisation help the government fill the budget, while at the same time they are increasing pressure on taxpayers

The Looming Tidal Wave

Ukraine will have to clean the Augean Stables of the tycoon-controlled economy regardless of how the global financial crisis develops

Non-Stop Smuggling

Customs is being privatized through laws and court orders