Eugen Riyako at Business Wisdom Summit 2026 on De-shadowing and “White” Business

At Business Wisdom Summit 2026, a panel discussion took place on the de-shadowing of Ukraine's economy and the transformation of its business environment. The discussion was moderated by Yevgen Riyako, business defence attorney and CEO of Riyako&Partners.

Participants discussed the results of government efforts to de-shadow the fuel, tobacco and other sectors, the role of the Bureau of Economic Security, the tax authorities and the banking sector in these processes, and the broader shift towards transparent business models. The conversation went beyond the challenges — tax burden and increased scrutiny — to cover the strategic advantages: access to financing and stronger negotiating positions in dialogue with the state.

The panel brought together representatives from government and large business:

• Danylo Hetmantsev, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy
• Vasyl Danyliak, CEO of OKKO Group
• Andriy Lukasevych, Philip Morris Ukraine
• Andriy Bukin, Bank Pivdennyi

For the Riyako&Partners team, this topic is part of everyday practice: for 15 years we have worked with businesses on criminal and economic matters, and we see firsthand how both the state and business are changing their approach to transparency.

Today, de-shadowing is gradually moving from declarations to real processes, and communication between business and the state is becoming more effective. There is still much work ahead, but the direction of change is already clear: in the long run, "white" business is no longer a choice for the bold — it is becoming the baseline strategy for companies planning long-term growth, expansion into new markets and protection from systemic pressure.