How the Trump-Putin talks affected Ukrainian stocks and what investors should expect
18 March 21:26
Shares of Ukrainian companies have risen amid talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that took place on March 18, 2025. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Interfax-Ukraine.
The WIG-Ukraine index, which reflects the dynamics of Ukrainian stocks on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, showed a sharp rise of 9.43% on Monday, and on Tuesday, by 13:00 Kyiv time, it increased by another 5.54%. This is the biggest jump in the index since the beginning of 2023.
Companies related to the infrastructure and defense sectors are showing particularly strong growth. Motor Sich shares have gained 12.3% over the past two days, while Ukrenergo has risen by 8.7%. This is evidence of growing investor interest in Ukraine’s key economic sectors, as well as increased confidence in the country’s prospects.
Experts attribute this growth to expectations of positive results from the upcoming talks between the US and Russian leaders. Investors hope for progress in the peace process, which could lead to stabilization of Ukraine’s economy, reduction of geopolitical risks and increase in foreign investment.
Prospects for Ukrainian business
One of the main factors supporting investor optimism was Kyivstar’s announcement of plans to launch an IPO on the US Nasdaq stock exchange. The mobile operator is valued at $2.21 billion and will become the first Ukrainian company to place shares in the United States.
The placement is expected to take place in the third quarter of 2025, which indicates the growing interest of Western investors in Ukrainian business. The success of this IPO could pave the way for other Ukrainian companies to enter the international stock market, which would be an important step in strengthening the country’s economic resilience.
In addition, activity in the domestic market is increasing. The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) recorded an increase in the volume of private investors’ investments in government bonds. Over the past week, the volume of purchased securities increased by 11%, which indicates a high level of confidence in the Ukrainian financial system even in the face of uncertainty.
Reaction of global markets
Against the backdrop of these events, the Russian equity market is showing increased volatility in anticipation of the outcome of the negotiations. The MICEX index initially showed an increase of 1.8%, but after the start of the negotiations it fell sharply, updating the day’s low. This reflects investors’ nervousness about possible sanctions risks and further developments.
At the same time, European stock exchanges are showing cautious optimism. Frankfurt’s DAX and London’s FTSE 100 are trading in the black, which may be due to expectations that the talks between Putin and Trump will lead to a reduction in geopolitical tensions, which in turn will have a positive impact on European economies.
