The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, held a meeting with 27 representatives of Ukrainian businesses from various sectors and regions, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining support for businesses and enterprises during the war as the foundation of social life and defense.
"I really want us to be in a strong position in one format or another during negotiations with certain 'partners'. We will still be in a normal position, but I hope we can be more confident. This confidence will influence the outcome of the war," – Zelensky emphasized in a video posted on his Telegram on Friday evening.
The President expressed gratitude to the businesses that are preserving jobs for Ukrainians and operating in Ukraine for Ukraine.
"For us, maintaining jobs is not just an abstract concept; it enables us to withstand this war. Therefore, it is crucial for us that you remain in the country. If you are facing undeniable challenges, if there are certain issues that you know the state can resolve quickly, and this depends on the political will of the authorities and the speed of various institutions, I am ready to assist as much as possible right now," – stated the head of state.
According to the video, the meeting included, among others, Viktor Ivanchik ("Astarta"), Andriy Zdesenko ("Biosfera"), Konstantin Yefimenko ("Biopharma"), Halyna Hereha ("Epicenter"), Dmytro Oliinyk (Federation of Employers of Ukraine), Artem Borodatyuk (Netpeak Group), Maksym Tymchenko (DTEK), Kateryna Zahoriy (Darnitsa), Iryna Chechetkina (Rozetka), Viacheslav Klimov ("Nova Poshta"), Serhiy Tihipko (TAS Group), and Yuriy Kosyuk (MHP).
Additionally, participants included Oleksandr Komarov ("Kyivstar"), Yulia Vysotska ("League of Defense Enterprises", NGO "Praktika"), Emre Karakhametoglu (ONUR Group), Iryna Terekh (Terekh.group), Viacheslav Steshenko (KLO), Vasyl Rakhmailov ("Yaguar"), Vitaliy Nemilostyvyi ("UkrInMash"), Serhiy Politychyi ("Factor"), Oleksandr Kardakov ("Octava Capital"), Serhiy Sipko (Agrofusion), Hennadiy Butkevych (ATB, BGV Group), and Yuriy Atanasov ("Sentravis").
From the government side, the meeting included Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak, Deputy Head of the Office Viktor Mykyta, First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko, and Advisor to the President of Ukraine on Strategic Issues Oleksandr Kamyshin.
A press release on the President's website clarified that the event involved owners and leaders of the largest Ukrainian companies operating in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, logistics, agro-industrial complex, energy, telecommunications, services, finance, banking, as well as defense industry enterprises.
Zelensky separately noted that the state is doing everything possible to strengthen air defense and bring about a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
It was mentioned that during the meeting, a number of specific issues were discussed concerning various areas, including the continuation of the economic platform "Made in Ukraine." According to the head of state, the issues raised and the proposals voiced will be addressed by the relevant government agencies.
In November, the President's communication advisor Volodymyr Litvyn announced that a permanent format for communication between the head of state and businesses might be established, similar to that which exists with journalists and is being developed with representatives of civil society.
The last time Zelensky met with businesses was on February 15, 2024, where business was represented by members of the Council on Support for Entrepreneurship during Martial Law ("Council of Seven"), while a broader meeting with businesses, which included about 30 owners and leaders of businesses along with representatives of business associations, took place at the end of June 2023.
At the meeting this Friday, four members from the "Council of Seven" participated – Klimov, Yefimenko, Oliinyk, and Borodatyuk.