Poland and Ukraine – a distinct pairing some would say. The two European countries are close to one another – both geographically and historically – yet, while they share a lot of similarities, they remain quite distinct. Given the sheer size of these countries and economies, their relationship, and a growing amount of investor interest – going both ways – we took a deeper dive to explore what makes their relations tick. And what better way is there to understand the countries’ entangled relationship than to talk to someone with Marcin Wierzbicki’s profile? Born and raised in Poland, the Konieczny Wierzbicki Managing Partner has had the opportunity to spend quite some time in Ukraine and, as such, has a unique perspective on both countries and their respective markets.
The Buzz in Ukraine: Interview with Yuriy Terentyev of Redcliffe Partners
Several notable decisions of Ukraine's Anti-Monopoly Committee, a bottleneck caused by a spike in the number of public procurement appeals, and the country's tax amnesty program are at the top of lawyers' agendas, according to Redcliffe Partners Partner Yuriy Terentyev.
New Draft Law of Ukraine on Personal Data Protection
A new draft personal data protection law, draft Law of Ukraine No. 5628 (“Draft 5628”), was introduced to the Ukrainian parliament on 7 June 2021. Draft 5628 replaces certain earlier draft laws on this subject and is currently the only draft legislation in the area of personal data protection.
Market Participants Agree on Standardized Ukrainian ISDA Master Agreement
The finalized version of the Ukrainian ISDA Master Agreement (“Ukrainian ISDA“) was officially published by the Independent Association of the Banks of Ukraine.
Regulation of Virtual Assets May Soon Become Reality in Ukraine
The rights and obligations of virtual asset market participants, as well as the principles of state policy for virtual assets circulation recently came close to being set out in Ukrainian law. On September 8, 2021, the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada (the “Rada”) adopted the Law “On Virtual Assets” (the “Law”). The Law is designed to regulate legal relations arising in connection with the circulation of virtual assets in Ukraine.
Is Ukraine The Future Hydrogen Valley?
Over the past years, Ukraine expressed its intention to step on the energy transition pathway, develop energy efficiency measures, phase out fossil fuels, and switch to renewable energy sources (RES). The development of green hydrogen production (based on electrolysis of water using renewable electricity) is part of the chosen direction. Therefore, the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine and more than 20 Ukrainian companies have joined the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance to coordinate efforts to develop hydrogen energy.
Olena Perepelynska Appointed on Baltic Litigation Fund Advisory Committee
Integrites Partner and Head of International Arbitration Olena Perepelynska has been appointed as a Member of the Baltic Litigation Fund Advisory Committee.
Tax and Customs Incentives for Sustainable Vehicles Industry in Ukraine
Two laws of 15 July 2021 on amending transitional provisions of the Tax Code and the Customs Code of Ukraine "to promote the development of ecological transport in Ukraine" (Nos. 1660-ix, 1661-ix) will introduce some tax and customs facilitations with effect from 1 January 2022.
Deal 5: Ciklum GC Anna Ryzhova on Acquisition of CN Group
On September 13, 2021, CEE Legal Matters reported that Dentons had advised Ciklum on its acquisition of Czech-based software development company CN Group from Genesis Capital. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Anna Ryzhova, General Counsel at Ciklum, to learn more about the acquisition.
Unlawful Consent is Still Consent: International Law Perspectives on Komstroy vs Moldova
On 2 September 2021, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued the much awaited judgement in the Komstroy vs Moldova case (C-741/19).
Deal 5: Stakelogic CEO Stephan van den Oetelaar on B2B Supplier License in Ukraine
On July 22, 2021, CEE Legal Matters reported that CMS Kyiv had helped Stakelogic obtain a B2B supplier license from the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries in Ukraine. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Stakelogic CEO Stephan van den Oetelaar to learn more about the matter.
Combining Teams: An Interview With Kinstellar's New Management Committee in Ukraine
On June 14, 2021, CEE Legal Matters reported that the former DLA Piper office in Ukraine had merged with Kinstellar. We spoke with Co-Managing Partners Olena Kuchynska, Margarita Karpenko, and Senior Counsel Daniel Bilak – the Management Committee of the combined team – to learn more about the merger and their plans going forward.
Doing Business in Ukraine: 30 Years of Independence
Let me start with a provocative statement: it is really easy and safe to do business in Ukraine today. As discussed in the article below, this is not a naive view of a Ukrainian lawyer but pure facts and statistics. Moreover, if you compare Ukraine with its neighbors, the contrast is startling: information transparency of companies coupled with super-fast registration procedures and special regime for IT companies are astonishing.
Upcoming PPPs in Ukraine: Availability Payments and Other Forms of Public Sector Contribution to a Project
In 2020, Ukraine’s government awarded the first two concessions in the history of Ukraine – 35-year concessions of the assets of Kherson and Olvia, two significant ports on the Black Sea. Building on this success, in October 2020, the government made a media splash by releasing a roadmap for further public private partnership (PPP) projects and held various promotion events since then.
Ukraine: The Pandemic’s Impact on Personal Data Protection – What Regulations Remain Relevant?
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered substantial social changes and a seemingly never-ending rollercoaster of legislative amendments and re-adoptions. Both social and legislative changes occurred in the Employment Sector, inevitably including the sphere of Personal Data Protection (PDP).
Extractive Industries: New and Prospective Regulation in Ukraine
While mineral extraction in Ukraine has a high potential for development and attracting investment, it always entails ecological risks which must be properly mitigated. Recently adopted laws, as well as legislation currently considered by Parliament, are aimed at balancing economic development and environmental protection.
Plenty of Reasons for a Positive Outlook: An Interview with Timur Bondaryev of Arzinger
According to Arzinger Managing Partner Timur Bondaryev, competition investigations, investment disputes, and white-collar crime matters have been keeping his team particularly busy these last few months. CEE Legal Matters sat down with him to learn more about the driving forces behind these areas in Ukraine.