On Tuesday, July 21, we will be hosting our next virtual Aerospace and Defense Luncheon on "Current Opportunities and Challenges Facing A&D Companies in Ukraine." Under the leadership of President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine has been working to transform its economy to align with western nations and is seeking investment across all economic sectors.Ukraine's defense industrial base, prominent during the Soviet era, now stands at a crucial juncture that will shape its future depending on how it addresses the continuing conflict to the east, the impact of coronavirus on international sourcing and commercial activity, and the opportunity to establish meaningful business relationships with US and other western defense contractors.The key ingredients of a successful relationship between Ukraine and the United States include the will and ongoing commitment of both governments; a mutually shared understanding of the defense environment, including the financial and threat environment, and a collaborative response to it; and the health and sustainability of Ukraine's defense industrial base.

Our program will feature a discussion of the current security situation in Ukraine and the opportunities it presents for US and other western A&D companies; the challenges facing such companies in pursuing these opportunities; and how Ukraine can successfully address the lack of transparency in its defense sector.

Our highly experienced panel will include Andriy Zagorodnyuk, the former Ukrainian Minister of Defense; Olena Tregub, Secretary General of the Independent Defense Anti-Corruption Committee at Transparency International (NAKO); Andy Bain and Alan Merbaum, co-chairs of the US-Ukrainian Business Council's A&D Committee; and Serhiy Piontkovsky, Managing Partner of our Kiev office.Howard Weissman will moderate this discussion.

If you are interested in attending this discussion, please RSVP by Monday, July 20.

This event will be subject to the Chatham House Rule to provide a more open and frank discussion.