Ukraine Can’t Afford to Wait: It’s Time to Invest in the Economy Now, by Gilles Mettetal

In an opinion piece in the Kyiv Post, Gilles Mettetal argues that Ukraine must not delay investing in its economy, even as the war continues. He emphasizes that with abundant resources and expertise, Ukraine should start rebuilding businesses and infrastructure now to avoid falling further behind. A standout example is agriculture: this “green engine” of Ukraine has been remarkably resilient. Its output is nearly back to levels seen before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, highlighting the country’s potential for growth.

The article urges attracting private and international capital to fuel development, framing Ukraine as an opportunity for investors rather than a charity case. It calls for creative, strategic approaches — including thinking regionally to overcome wartime obstacles, such as finding alternative export routes while Black Sea ports remain under threat. The core theme is clear: economic development cannot wait for peace. By investing across key sectors immediately, Ukraine will strengthen its resilience, support its people through hardship, and lay a strong foundation for post-war recovery and future prosperity.

NOTE: Diligent Capital Partners (DCP) is a Kyiv-based mid-market private equity firm created to mobilize both private and public capital to support the strengthening of the Ukrainian and wider regional economy. With over 30 years of experience in Ukraine and the region, the DCP team has deployed more than € 400m of equity capital in over 30 transactions in Ukraine.