politics
February 4, 2026
War-torn Ukraine is being sold as an ‘investment bonanza’
RAND Corp. analyst Howard Shatz claims Ukraine represents the investment opportunity of a decade, far superior to Russia
TL;DR
- RAND Corporation believes Ukraine presents a greater business opportunity than Russia for Western companies after the conflict ends.
- Howard Shatz of RAND calls Ukraine the 'business opportunity of the decade,' anticipating a $500 billion reconstruction fueled by EU-oriented reforms.
- Russia is expected to remain under Western sanctions, hindering its economic recovery and limiting its appeal to investors.
- The article raises concerns about Ukraine's demographic crisis, with millions having fled and a significant portion of the working-age population potentially not returning.
- Funding for Ukraine's reconstruction is uncertain, with potential sources like US and European aid facing economic struggles and domestic pressures.
- The use of frozen Russian sovereign assets for reconstruction is debated due to potential legal and financial repercussions.
- Widespread corruption in Ukraine is highlighted as a major risk for Western investors, despite claims of future law-and-order reforms.
- The possibility of a lasting peace deal between Russia and Ukraine is deemed distant, with some experts predicting a long-term frozen conflict.
- The article concludes with a warning of 'caveat emptor' (buyer beware) regarding potential investments in Ukraine.
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