The Positive Economic Impact of Ukrainians Abroad - A Chat with a Former Deputy Economic Minister

The Positive Economic Impact of Ukrainians Abroad - A Chat with a Former Deputy Economic Minister

Author: Mark McNamee December 25, 2025 Duration: 39:35
Over 6 mn Ukrainians fled their homeland after the full-scale invasion and have since settled abroad, mostly in Europe. In country after country, Ukrainians economic and financial contribution far outpaces the social support provided to them by those countries. To delve into this story, specifically as it pertains to the US, I had a very informative discussion with Oleksandr Romanishyn, a former Deputy Minister of Economy and current head of the think tank ISE group. He launched an Impact Study into Ukrainians' contribution to the US economy, which is far more substantial than I possibly could have imagined.  Oleksandr Romanyshin is a policymaker and economist, having served as Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine (2020-2021). He is currently a Board Member of ISE Group and an Advisor to the Ukrainian American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UACCI). With over 15 years of experience spanning government, IFIs, and corporate finance, he has contributed to Ukraine’s post-war recovery strategy, including inputs to the European Commission’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility. He was engaged in M&A and corporate finance in such companies as EY, Volwest Group, and Midland Group. He was the head of the World Bank's private sector development project in Ukraine. Beyond that, Oleksandr has published critical work on disinformation, the state of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, and local governance - all of which we discussed in the podcast. Links as noted in the podcast: Impact Study: https://ise-group.org/impact-study Platform UA2USA: https://ua2usa.org/ ISE's work on disinformation: https://ise-group.org/disinformation AI and disinformation policy paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence/articles/10.3389/frai.2025.1569115 To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

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: 79

History in the Making: The War in Ukraine
Podcast Episodes
Can Trump's policy of "Peace Through Strength" work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:20
Now that we know who the US president is and more about US policy towards Russia, I brought back on the show again my professor from graduate school, John Harper. Last time we spoke late in 2024, we didn't know who would…
Ukraine is Not a Part of Russia; It's a Part of Western Civilization [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:41
Did you know Kyiv is nearly 1,000 years older than Moscow? Did you know Ukrainian is far older than the Russian language? Did you know Russians can’t understand Ukrainian? Did you know Russia even stole its name “Russia”…
A Christmas Special: Stories from a Soldier of the Foreign Legion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:52
This one is a bit of a Christmas special, recorded right before the holidays and touches on a number of remarkable – perhaps mystical – moments of a soldier at war. Listen to the story of Angel (his call sign, not reveal…