We must increase Ukraine’s value in the world

01.04.2025

Ruslan Shostak, President of TERWIN

It’s a serious and important question that should be asked at the beginning of any business or national development strategy. But it’s not a question we should ask ourselves as Ukrainians — it’s a question we must ask the world: What value does the world see in Ukraine?

The answer might be deeply disappointing. The world is not particularly interested in Ukraine — it doesn’t know or understand our value. Who today knows that Ukraine, located along the trade route "from the Varangians to the Greeks," was instrumental in shaping the economic and cultural foundation of Europe? Or that Ukraine has protected Europe from external threats for over a thousand years — from the Mongol-Tatar invasions and World War II to the current Russian aggression — defending the democratic values of Western civilization?

But perhaps the question should be turned around completely: What value does the world hold for Ukraine?

That answer could become the foundation of a strategy.

We could talk about having the strongest army capable of securing our economic interests and protecting our freedom on the global stage. We could talk about foreign investments and technologies that could be attracted in exchange for our mineral resources, so vital to many global industries. About global demand for our goods, the strategic importance of our land, tourism potential, and so on.

We must create value for the world, starting from the interests of our country.

If we had been thinking strategically, understanding that our security is more valuable and important than any promises from foreign partners — who, as history shows, can easily shift from allies to adversaries, we would have never given up our nuclear weapons, for example. And we would always act based on our interests and security, no matter the cost.

That’s why Ukraine must develop a clear strategy for how it positions itself in the world — a strategy to create, promote, and defend our values and interests. Our national philosophy must become Ukraine-centric.

This is a critical task for our government, for the business community, and for Ukraine’s cultural sphere.

If we had more opportunities to speak and reflect on such topics, perhaps a national value strategy — a true national idea — would already exist.