Investing in Ukraine - what's the real story on the ground about opportunities now and in the future

Investing in Ukraine - what's the real story on the ground about opportunities now and in the future

Author: Mark McNamee October 30, 2025 Duration: 40:57
In this episode, my business partner Andrew Pryma and I felt like we had to break alot of the misconceptions of the economy and business environment in Ukraine and delve into what's really happening on the ground. We speak everyday with the top Western investors in the country so have strong insight into what is actually happening, what they're seeing, how they're feeling, and how they view the future.  Please have a listen to understand better what's happening on the ground in Ukraine - which companies are investing, which sectors are thriving, which are struggling, what are the long-term opportunities, and what's holding back businesses from investing.  Andrew Pryma, Founder of Ukraine Business News (UBN) and UBN Network, Andrew is a former investment banker with over 20 years of investment management experience, specializing in energy and real estate development. His previous roles were as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs (NYC) and as a project manager for the largest real estate development firms in the US, including Ryan Homes, Prestige Homes, and Tishman Speyer. As founder of Ukrtrade Capital, he leads a Ukraine-based team currently working on construction and energy projects. Our plans include the construction of two precast concrete plants, production facilities for construction materials, affordable housing development, and commercial initiatives that use internal energy resources. Andrew can be contacted at apryma@ubn.news for any investment inquiries. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

We are living through events that will define our century, and History in the Making: The War in Ukraine is an attempt to make sense of them as they unfold. Host Mark McNamee brings his deep knowledge of Eastern Europe to the fore, not just to recount headlines, but to untangle the complex historical, cultural, and political threads that led to this moment. This isn't a dry recitation of facts; it's a grounded exploration of how a conflict reshapes a nation's identity and the global order. Each episode moves between the sweeping strategic picture and the intimate, human stories of those living through the war, highlighting a profound resilience. You'll hear analysis that connects past empires to present-day battles, and conversations that reveal the personal cost and extraordinary fortitude within Ukraine. The goal of this podcast is to provide context and clarity, offering a nuanced perspective that goes beyond the news cycle. By focusing on the people, the history, and the on-the-ground reality, Mark creates a vital record of a world changing in real time. Tune in for a thoughtful, comprehensive guide to understanding not just what is happening, but why it matters for all of us.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

History in the Making: The War in Ukraine
Podcast Episodes
What the Head of the UN in Ukraine Is Seeing on the Ground [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Military developments, diplomacy and geopolitics dominate discussion of the war in Ukraine. But behind every missile strike and frontline shift are millions of civilians whose lives have been fundamentally transformed by…
Putin's next move: A risky mobilization or a ceasefire? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Vladimir Putin is likely approaching one of the most consequential decisions of the war and in fact of his entire reign: escalate further through another major mobilization, or accept some form of ceasefire. Or can he co…
The Deep History Behind America's Political Divide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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If you've ever wondered why the US seems so divided, this conversation offers one of the most compelling explanations you'll hear. For many outside the US (and for many it in too), American politics can seem increasingly…
Hope for Ukraine's Future: Speaking with 16 Year-Old Nikol Makhovka [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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In this episode, I was happy to host by far the youngest guest I've had on my show. This episode is about Ukraine’s future. Not what’s happening today in the war, or the war outlook, or looking at historical drivers and…
US Army Veteran Finds Purpose and Meaning in Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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I had the pleasure of interviewing Ryan Hendrickson, a former US Army Green Beret who spent years in Afghanistan, lost a leg, and has now devoted the last several years of his life to helping Ukraine. As so many veterans…