Trump's statements and the meetings in Saudi Arabia between representatives of the US and Russia reduce the likelihood of a fair peace. For the development of Ukraine, a long-term and sustainable peace is essential, according to business representatives surveyed by "Interfax-Ukraine".
"Considering Trump's statements and the meetings in Riyadh, the probability of a ceasefire has significantly increased and is now very high, but the likelihood of peace has decreased considerably and is currently very low," commented Arthur Lupashko, founder of Ribas Hotels Group.
In his view, ending the war on terms unacceptable to Ukrainian society and primarily to the military would inevitably lead to a continuation of the conflict in the medium term, over the next 5-10 years.
"Will a ceasefire help attract investments and improve the investment climate? Of course, yes. As an entrepreneur, it would be beneficial for me. But as a Ukrainian, it would be disheartening if we conclude it in a way that is unjust for Ukraine. However, I emphasize that I am not a military expert and do not have the right to loudly state that the war should not end as quickly as possible," says Lupashko.
"Trump's statements and the meetings in Saudi Arabia are all just talk for now, a lot of discussions, we will see. As for investments, they begin to flow into the country when there is an understanding of the security of those investments. But in a country where there is war or a state of emergency, the protection of investments cannot even be a topic of discussion. Therefore, it is crucial for Ukraine to have a condition of long-term and sustainable peace. Only then will investments come to our country," noted Meest shareholder Vyacheslav Lysenko.
Regarding potential preferences for future investors, Lysenko believes that no countries should have any advantages; all must operate under the same rules.
"The only thing that is very important is the protection of investments from corruption, from law enforcement agencies, and ensuring the security of those investments. These three aspects must be guaranteed for all investors, including Ukrainian ones," he stated.