Kim described Mykolaiv’s potential following the peace agreement in a column for an American media outlet

Vitalii Kim, Head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, photo by NikVesti

Vitalii Kim, Head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, has published a column for the American online media outlet The Daily Signal, in which he described the potential of the Mykolaiv region following the end of a full-scale war. In the article, he emphasised the economic and strategic opportunities for the US arising from supporting Ukraine and participating in post-war reconstruction.

In his column, Vitalii Kim stressed that supporting Ukraine is not only a security but also an economic interest for the US.

«Ukraine is not a cost. It is an opportunity. Americans are entitled to ask a simple question about Ukraine: what does the US get out of this? This question deserves a clear and practical answer, based on American interests,» he wrote.

According to the head of the RMA, US aid to Ukraine is already contributing to the development of the US defence industry, the creation of jobs and the strengthening of the country’s military readiness.

«American defence manufacturers are creating highly skilled jobs, expanding production lines and strengthening the industrial capacity on which the US will rely during any future crisis. American investment in Ukraine has not only helped our defence. It has also strengthened America’s own military readiness,» wrote Vitalii Kim.

He also described Ukraine as «the world’s most active real-time laboratory of modern warfare», where technologies such as drones, electronic warfare, cyber defence and combat data integration are developing rapidly.

In his column, Vitalii Kim paid particular attention to the potential for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction. According to him, the cost of rebuilding and modernising the country is already estimated at over $500 billion.

«This creates one of the continent’s greatest investment opportunities over the next decade. It is not just about rebuilding what has been destroyed. A significant part of Ukraine will be modernised practically from scratch — with newer infrastructure, more modern logistics, cleaner energy systems, stronger digital networks and a more competitive industry,» he noted.

The column states that American companies could find opportunities in the construction of roads, bridges, ports, housing, energy, logistics, the agricultural sector, water infrastructure and digital modernisation.

«American companies can compete successfully in these sectors,» he noted.

A separate section of the article is devoted to the Mykolaiv region. Vitalii Kim cited the region as an example of potential post-war development.

«My home region — Mykolaiv region, which is on the front line of the war — is a striking example,» he wrote.

According to the head of the Regional State Administration, prior to the full-scale invasion, Mykolaiv was a hub for shipbuilding, the agricultural sector and industry, and the restoration of Black Sea ports is critically important not only for Ukraine but also for the global food market.

Vitalii Kim believes that once the war is over, Mykolaiv could become a hub for port modernisation, grain logistics, ship repair, high-tech manufacturing, renewable energy, water infrastructure and industrial parks.

«For American investors, this presents practical opportunities: restoration of port capacity, development of terminal concessions, partnerships in agricultural exports, financing of energy sustainability projects, expansion of industrial production, modernisation of water infrastructure and the creation of logistics hubs in a strategically important region with a skilled workforce,» the column states.

At the end of the article, Vitalii Kim stated that support for Ukraine is a «strategic opportunity» for the US.

«Peace and security in Ukraine today mean reliable security for Europe tomorrow. It means stable trade and logistics routes for Europe and the world. It means opportunities for American business,» he wrote.

The Daily Signal is an American conservative online media outlet founded by The Heritage Foundation, a think tank considered one of the most influential right-wing conservative think tanks in the US. The publication specialises in politics, economics, international relations and security issues, and is aimed primarily at a Republican and conservative audience.

It should be noted that Vitalii Kim, head of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration, stated that Ukraine could be of use to the European Union in the areas of digitalisation, medicine and the development of public services.