Global Challenges for Ukrainian Exports: Key Takeaways from “Trade Wars” Conference

21/ 05/ 2025

On May 20, 2025, Kyiv hosted the fifth annual “Trade Wars: Art of Protection” conference, organized by Ilyashev & Partners Law Firm in cooperation with Yurydychna Praktyka Publishing House. The event brought together over 100 participants, including representatives of industry, business associations, government agencies, diplomatic missions, and leading international trade experts. This year, the main focus was on the expiration of the EU’s autonomous trade preferences, the protection of Ukrainian exports and the domestic market, reform of trade defense procedures, and the adaptation of businesses to new global challenges. The event was moderated by Olena Omelchenko, Partner at Ilyashev & Partners, who emphasized that Ukrainian producers are often forced to wait for years for protection against unfair imports, particularly when competing with goods originating from countries that directly or indirectly support the aggressor state. In contrast, clearing part of the market from third-country imports would not only support Ukrainian manufacturers, but also strengthen production in countries that are Ukraine’s strategic partners. Olena Omelchenko urged the government to urgently update trade investigation procedures to reflect wartime realities. “The European Union has already shortened the duration of its investigations. Ukraine must do the same. We call on the Interdepartmental Commission on International Trade to hold meetings at least quarterly and to introduce a transparent procedure for price undertakings. Current legislation allows foreign producers to avoid duties by voluntarily offering price undertakings, yet domestic producers are not involved in this process and ultimately suffer losses through declining market share,” she emphasized. The key message of the conference was the need for a systemic state policy on trade defense and support for domestic producers amid war and global competition. The expert community formulated a number of proposals, which were supported by the participants: Shorten the duration of anti-dumping investigations, taking into account martial law; make the Interdepartmental Commission’s meetings regular; and implement transparent practices for price undertakings. Introduce effective import monitoring – customs circumvention via third countries, product misclassification, and origin fraud require a systemic response and reform of the customs service. Expand trade with Western partners – intensify dialogue with the EU, the U.S., the UK, and Japan on free trade, tariff elimination, and investment attraction. Focus on the extractive industry – attract long-term investments by launching private geological exploration and developing critical minerals projects. Support domestic production – prioritize Ukrainian manufacturers and reliable partner countries. Speakers at the conference included: Taras Kachka – Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Trade Representative of Ukraine Oksana Osmachko – Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Nina Yuzhanina – Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, Taxation and Customs Policy Vladyslav Suvorov – Deputy Head of the State Customs Service of Ukraine Pavlo Kachur – Head of the Ukrcement Association Kseniia Orynchak – Executive Director of the National Extractive Industries Association of Ukraine Oleksandr Kalenkov – President of Ukrmetallurgprom Sergey Povazhniuk – Deputy Director for Development at Ukrainian Industry Expertise Oleh Khomenko – Director General of the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club In 2025, the conference partners included: Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, European Business Association, All-Ukrainian Association of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Producers, National Extractive Industries Association of Ukraine, Ukrainian Association of Ferroalloy Producers (UkrFA), Ukrainian Corporation “Ukrvinprom”, Ukrainian Confectionery Industry Association (Ukrkondprom), Association of Ukrainian Enterprises “Ukrmetallurgprom”, Association “Ukrcement”, and the State Enterprise “Ukrainian Industry Expertise”. Media partners of the event included: Yurуdуchna Praktyka, Interfax-Ukraine, Delo.ua, GMK Center, Mind.ua, Business Ukraine, and Energobusiness.

This year, the main focus was on the expiration of the EU’s autonomous trade preferences, the protection of Ukrainian exports and the domestic market, reform of trade defense procedures, and the adaptation of businesses to new global challenges.

The event was moderated by Olena Omelchenko, Partner at Ilyashev & Partners, who emphasized that Ukrainian producers are often forced to wait for years for protection against unfair imports, particularly when competing with goods originating from countries that directly or indirectly support the aggressor state. In contrast, clearing part of the market from third-country imports would not only support Ukrainian manufacturers, but also strengthen production in countries that are Ukraine’s strategic partners.

Olena Omelchenko urged the government to urgently update trade investigation procedures to reflect wartime realities.

“The European Union has already shortened the duration of its investigations. Ukraine must do the same. We call on the Interdepartmental Commission on International Trade to hold meetings at least quarterly and to introduce a transparent procedure for price undertakings. Current legislation allows foreign producers to avoid duties by voluntarily offering price undertakings, yet domestic producers are not involved in this process and ultimately suffer losses through declining market share,” she emphasized.

The key message of the conference was the need for a systemic state policy on trade defense and support for domestic producers amid war and global competition.

The expert community formulated a number of proposals, which were supported by the participants:

Shorten the duration of anti-dumping investigations, taking into account martial law; make the Interdepartmental Commission’s meetings regular; and implement transparent practices for price undertakings.
Introduce effective import monitoring – customs circumvention via third countries, product misclassification, and origin fraud require a systemic response and reform of the customs service.
Expand trade with Western partners – intensify dialogue with the EU, the U.S., the UK, and Japan on free trade, tariff elimination, and investment attraction.
Focus on the extractive industry – attract long-term investments by launching private geological exploration and developing critical minerals projects.
Support domestic production – prioritize Ukrainian manufacturers and reliable partner countries.

Speakers at the conference included:

Taras Kachka – Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Trade Representative of Ukraine
Oksana Osmachko – Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine
Nina Yuzhanina – Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, Taxation and Customs Policy
Vladyslav Suvorov – Deputy Head of the State Customs Service of Ukraine
Pavlo Kachur – Head of the Ukrcement Association
Kseniia Orynchak – Executive Director of the National Extractive Industries Association of Ukraine
Oleksandr Kalenkov – President of Ukrmetallurgprom
Sergey Povazhniuk – Deputy Director for Development at Ukrainian Industry Expertise
Oleh Khomenko – Director General of the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club

In 2025, the conference partners included: Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, European Business Association, All-Ukrainian Association of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Producers, National Extractive Industries Association of Ukraine, Ukrainian Association of Ferroalloy Producers (UkrFA), Ukrainian Corporation “Ukrvinprom”, Ukrainian Confectionery Industry Association (Ukrkondprom), Association of Ukrainian Enterprises “Ukrmetallurgprom”, Association “Ukrcement”, and the State Enterprise “Ukrainian Industry Expertise”.

Media partners of the event included: Yurуdуchna Praktyka, Interfax-Ukraine, Delo.ua, GMK Center, Mind.ua, Business Ukraine, and Energobusiness.