On May 7, the Veza Center for Public Analytics hosted an interview with political analyst Ihor Chelenko, a member of the National Centrist League. Chelenko commented on the high-profile visit by Ukraine’s representative Umerov to the US, which took place amid a deadlock in peace negotiations and ongoing domestic political discussions.
Chelenko noted that Umerov’s trip reflects Ukraine’s attempt to maintain diplomatic engagement with international partners, especially as Russian and US contacts increase. He mentioned rumors of possible personnel changes in Ukraine’s negotiation team but emphasized that real decisions remain with President Zelenskyi.
Discussing the state of talks, Chelenko remarked that Ukraine is seeking alternative dialogue formats—via Turkey, Azerbaijan, and intermediaries between Russian and US leaders. However, he stressed that these efforts are largely inertia-driven now and are unlikely to deliver a breakthrough soon.
The conversation also addressed upcoming tax legislation in the Ukrainian parliament. One bill would impose a 10% tax on sales via digital platforms—including OLX—except for annual volumes under 2,000 euros. Another would remove the duty-free threshold for parcels from abroad and introduce 20% VAT on all imported packages. Chelenko highlighted the administrative complexities and the risks for consumers and retailers posed by these changes.
In summary, the expert noted that the tax reforms aim to meet commitments to international partners but could bring economic risks—from increased shadow economy activity to reduced consumer spending.
