Why Ukraine must relocate its economic center of gravity
Political analyst Yuriy Romanenko has called for a strategic, systematic shift of Ukraine's economic center toward the western part of the country. This proposal stems from growing dangers posed by drone strikes and infrastructure attacks targeting major cities like Kyiv and Dnipro. Romanenko stressed that regardless of whether the war ends this year, the economy must be safeguarded—and that cannot be achieved in the east. His comments come as Ukraine faces intensifying aerial threats that continue to disrupt industrial and logistical operations.
Infrastructure at risk and lessons from China
He warned that as drone capabilities expand, the threat to infrastructure will only increase, directly affecting cities such as Kyiv and Dnipro.
“Systematically moving the economic center westward is a critical task for the state. Whether the war stops this year or not, we must accept that the economy needs protection,” Yuriy Romanenko said.
In this context, he cited China as an example—pointing to how Beijing has restricted the outflow of engineers and tightened rules on foreign investments in key industries. This shows how global turbulence demands the creation of reliable life-support infrastructure and the transformation of economic ties into instruments of geopolitical influence.
Romanenko’s statement highlights the urgency of securing Ukraine’s economy amid modern challenges. Shifting the economic hub westward could be a vital step toward strengthening the economy and reducing its exposure to external threats. Such an approach might also spur development in new regions, helping to rebalance the country’s overall economic landscape.
As the need for a strategic relocation of Ukraine's economic activities becomes more pressing, the government is also focusing on enhancing its energy security. In a related move, Ukraine has allocated $12.85 billion to bolster energy infrastructure. This decision underscores the importance of securing vital resources, which is crucial for maintaining stability in the face of ongoing threats.