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.

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.

CMS has acted as legal partner on the Next-UA capital markets consulting project, launched jointly by the Ukrainian government, USAID, the EBRD, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine.

Arzinger has successfully represented Ceetrus Ukraine in a UAH 53 million VAT refund dispute before three court instances.

Ilyashev & Partners has advised Ukraine's Antonov state enterprise on its five-year contract with NATO and the EU, within the framework of the Strategic Airlift International Solution program.

Avellum, working with White & Case, has advised Ukrenergo on its debut USD 825 million issuance of sustainability-linked eurobonds. Sayenko Kharenko, working with Linklaters, advised the managers BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs International, and Ukreximbank. CMS advised the EBRD on its USD 75 million investment in Ukrenergo bonds.

Sayenko Kharenko has advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on providing a EUR 25 million equivalent loan to ProCredit Bank in Ukraine. 

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.

CMS Kyiv has successfully represented Fresenius Medical Care Ukraine in a commercial dispute against a public healthcare provider before the Ukrainian Supreme Court.

Baker McKenzie has advised First Ukrainian International Bank on the conditional purchase agreement for Idea Bank in Ukraine from its sole owner, the Polish financial group Getin Holding. Sayenko Kharenko advised Getin Holding on the deal.

Baker McKenzie has advised EP Ukraine on the structuring, negotiating, and entry into two production sharing agreements with the Ukrainian government in relation to the Okhtyrska and Hrunivska blocks. 

Sayenko Kharenko has assisted the Allard Pierson Museum in the 'Scythian Gold' case by preparing an expert report on Ukrainian law.

The finalized version of the Ukrainian ISDA Master Agreement (“Ukrainian ISDA“) was officially published by the Independent Association of the Banks of Ukraine.

Sayenko Kharenko has successfully represented Auchan before the Supreme Court of Ukraine in a case against the Asset Recovery and Management Agency of Ukraine.

Sayenko Kharenko has successfully represented Olfa before the International Commercial Arbitration Court at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Contributed by Avellum.

CMS has advised a syndicate of banks led by ING Bank on the extension of a pre-export facility for Ukraine’s Kernel Group as well as an increase in the credit facility to USD 420 million, with an in-built possibility for a further increase to up to USD 450 million.

Baker McKenzie has advised the shareholders of Depositphotos on the USD 85 million sale of the company to VistaPrint.