As world leaders gathered in Davos this month to discuss security and democracy, Nova Ukraine was there to ensure that Ukrainian reconstruction, energy security, and humanitarian needs were top priorities.
“Every year, people ask me why I go to Davos and whether it’s worth the effort,” says Nova Ukraine Co-Founder and Chairman Nick Bilogorskiy. “And every year, I give the same answer: Yes, absolutely. Because Davos isn’t about the panels you attend, but the people you meet and the conversations you weren’t planning to have.”
Bilogorskiy says Davos is a rare opportunity where “talent, capital, and influence” converge in one place, and one can have meaningful conversations on Ukraine. Joined by Nova Ukraine Board Director Dr. Igor Markov and COO Vlad Dergunov, Bilogorskiy and his colleagues met dozens of global policymakers to discuss Ukraine’s humanitarian situation, security, long-term reconstruction, and a wide range of issues related to business, government, and civil society.
Markov recognizes that the fruits of these conversations aren’t always immediate, but can pay long-term dividends.
“Davos is a unique platform to have these talks, and it’s a crucial place to keep Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine at the top of the global agenda. Without our participation and that of our partners, Ukraine risks slipping off the radar of global attention, especially as the war has lasted four years with no end in sight,” he says.
Markov adds that what stood out for him at Davos “wasn’t optimism for optimism’s sake, but a reassessment grounded in reality. Investors who once ruled Ukraine out are now evaluating concrete investment pathways, acknowledging reforms, resilience, and the scale of reconstruction ahead.”
The humanitarian situation in Ukraine this winter is particularly dire. Dergunov raised the issue with officials at Davos, emphasizing how Russia has deliberately weaponized winter against the Ukrainian population.
Dergunov says he spoke with officials at Davos about how Russia has intentionally weaponized the cold of winter against the people of Ukraine.
“Systematic attacks on energy infrastructure, combined with sub-zero temperatures, leave millions without the essentials for survival — heat, electricity, and water,” he said. “For many Ukrainian families, winter is no longer just a season — it has become another front in Russia’s war against civilians.
The Nova Ukraine leadership team met civil society partners, including Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. They discussed accountability, justice, and the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The group also visited Ukraine House Davos, a key space for Ukraine-focused discussions that brings together policymakers, business leaders, civil society, and international partners. At the Ukrainian Breakfast in Davos, Nova Ukraine leadership met with Jens Stoltenberg, former Secretary General of NATO and current Minister of Finance of Norway.
Nova Ukraine’s presence in Davos aligns with its mission and vision: to help create a prosperous, independent Ukraine with a vibrant civil society. Rooted in partnership and innovation, Nova Ukraine works to empower Ukrainians to endure, rebuild, and shape their own democratic future.
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