Global corporations and working conditions: what should Ukraine do to attract business giants to do business in the country?

Purpose This study aims to examine the investment environment in post-war Ukraine and determine the main challenges and strategic policy actions to entice foreign direct investment (FDI). With its significant importance in economic recovery, it is vital to consider investor concerns as well as potential mitigating factors. Design/methodology/approach A system-functional approach was utilised, merging business climate surveys, cross-country comparison (Israel, South Korea, Bosnia) and economic data of international financial institutions, such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the National Bank of Ukraine. Findings The findings point out that despite the fact that Ukraine remains a high-risk place to invest, investor risk could be mitigated by war-risk insurance with structured format, judicial protection and transparent regulatory conditions. Sector investment incentives and governmental financial guarantees are also capable of accelerating FDI recovery. Research limitations/implications The analysis is primarily confined to macroeconomic data and inter-country comparisons that may not effectively represent firm-specific investment behaviour. Practical implications Policy recommendations highlight the importance of infrastructure development, judicial reform and institutional transparency as long-term investor confidence builders and for sustaining FDI inflows. Originality/value This study provides a policy-focused framework for making Ukraine more investment-friendly, presenting lessons on how economies to emerge from conflict can build a more stable and attractive business climate.