Oleksiy Shevchuk, chairman of the National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine, takes a critical view of the wave of so-called “anti-corruption hysteria” that has recently dominated the Ukrainian media and social networks. In his view, the excessive focus of public attention on corruption scandals is distracting the country from strategically important areas of development.

He spoke about this in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

“The world has long since moved forward and operates according to different criteria—intellect, technology, standards, and property protection. If we continue to remain stuck in a constant fear of corruption, we will simply lose our future instead of building it,” Shevchuk emphasizes.

According to him, the key to Ukraine’s true strength lies in an entirely different realm: the development of intellectual property, the defense industry, artificial intelligence, and digital markets. It is precisely these areas that are today’s breakthrough points, where the country can not only catch up but also set the pace.

Shevchuk emphasizes that the fight against corruption remains important, but it should not be the sole focus of the state and society. “If we constantly look only at the old problems right under our feet, we’ll never see the horizon where our true potential is taking shape,” he concludes.

- You’re starting this interview with a rather unusual metaphor—the “dark horse” year. Why this particular allegory?

Shevchuk calls the coming period “the year of the dark horse”—a metaphor that, in his words, most accurately reflects the country’s current state. The main task for Ukraine is to choose the right course and stay on it, without letting the system break down along the way.

Shevchuk draws a parallel between the state, big business, and the legal community, comparing them to a single herd. If an element appears in this system that is deteriorating or holding everyone back, it cannot be retained solely out of inertia or sympathy. Such “dead weight” will sooner or later begin to harm everyone.

Ukraine, he says, is in a difficult post-crisis state: the fourth year of full-scale war, limited resources, an economy on the brink of collapse, and absolutely no room for error. The coming year will be difficult and will require cold, hard calculation without illusions.

The legal and business markets in Ukraine are already undergoing a period of drastic transformation. According to experts, there is no more time for experimentation—decisions are made quickly, and the market is being restructured under the pressure of the reality of war and limited resources. The legal sector is traditionally one of the first to react, as key economic and social challenges are addressed through the legal system.

One of the most in-demand areas has become the practice of providing legal support to military personnel. It covers issues of compensation, rehabilitation, obtaining the status of a person with disabilities resulting from combat (UBD), disputes with government agencies, and international lawsuits against the aggressor country. This is no longer a narrow social niche but a full-fledged and promising legal field, with Ukrainian cases now reaching international courts.

At the same time, demand is growing for the protection of honor, dignity, and business reputation. In the context of information warfare, a person’s or a business’s name becomes a key asset that, without legal protection, can be publicly and instantly destroyed.

Only those capable of making quick decisions, taking responsibility, and moving forward even in the face of uncertainty will be able to hold their ground.

 That is precisely why the “dark horse” has become a symbol of our times—there is much that remains unknown ahead, and only the resilient, intelligent, and strategically minded will cross the finish line.

Today, strong legal teams win not by the volume of paper files, but by technology. Digital evidence, data analytics, working with anonymous networks, and synchronized litigation and communications strategies are becoming the norm. The law has long since moved beyond the courtroom and now operates simultaneously in courts, the media, and the digital space.

Artificial intelligence plays a distinct role. In the EU, its use is already regulated, whereas in Ukraine, the legal and ethical frameworks are still taking shape. The expert cautions that AI is a powerful tool, but without human oversight, it creates risks of professional errors. The year 2026 is expected to be a turning point due to the harmonization of Ukrainian legislation with EU law.

Social media and messaging apps are also ceasing to be a “gray area.” They are gradually being brought into the legal framework with clear rules regarding content liability, child protection, digital identity, and intellectual property.

Experts identify defense technologies and intellectual property as the key economic drivers of Ukraine’s future. With the right legal strategy, military and dual-use technologies could become a global commodity and a multi-billion export. It is precisely the combination of science, lobbying, and the law that should turn the country’s technological potential into a real tool for economic growth.

The National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine is establishing the office of an anti-corruption commissioner.

As a reminder, the Higher School of Lobbying—a new educational center and structural unit of the National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine—was officially opened in Kyiv. It will foster a professional environment for lobbyists in accordance with European and American standards. The event took place at the Hyatt Regency Kyiv hotel and brought together over 100 guests.