Kyivstar CEO Sees Peace Deal Boosting Value Ahead of US Listing

Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov believes a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict would significantly boost the company's value. The mobile operator is set to debut on the Nasdaq, becoming the first Ukraine-based company listed on a US stock exchange. Komarov hopes Kyivstar will be a valuable asset for investors looking to support Ukraine's recovery.

Kyivstar Group Ltd., Ukraine's leading digital operator and subsidiary of VEON (NASDAQ: VEON), has completed its business combination with Cohen Circle Acquisition Corp. I. The combined company is set to debut on Nasdaq on August 15, 2025, under the ticker symbols "KYIV" and "KYIVW". This listing will mark the first pure-play Ukrainian investment opportunity in U.S. stock markets [1].

The transaction, which saw only 25.4% of Cohen Circle's public shareholders redeem their shares, secured USD 178 million in proceeds. VEON retains an 89.6% stake in Kyivstar Group following the deal [1]. The company serves nearly 23 million mobile customers and 1.1 million fixed connectivity users, offering a range of digital services including healthcare, entertainment, and ride-hailing platforms [1].

Kyivstar's CEO, Oleksandr Komarov, believes that a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict would significantly boost the company's value. He hopes that Kyivstar's Nasdaq listing will serve as a valuable asset for investors looking to support Ukraine's recovery [1].

Kyivstar's market position in Ukraine is formidable, with a strong customer base and a diversified portfolio of digital services. The company's strategic diversification into high-growth digital verticals, such as digital healthcare and entertainment streaming, positions it to capture higher-margin revenue streams beyond traditional telecom offerings [1].

The company's partnership with Starlink and planned Q4 2025 launch of satellite-powered Direct to Cell services represents cutting-edge innovation in telecom resilience. This technology enables connectivity in areas where traditional infrastructure is compromised, a critical capability in Ukraine's context [1].

The deal attracted institutional investors including Helikon and Clearline through non-redemption agreements, suggesting sophisticated market participants see value in this unique investment proposition. The involvement of high-profile advisors further validates the transaction's credibility and complexity [1].

Kyivstar's Nasdaq listing creates a rare opportunity for investors to directly invest in Ukraine's digital infrastructure and recovery story through a publicly traded vehicle with proper governance and disclosure requirements [1].

References:
[1] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/VEON/ahead-of-its-historic-listing-on-nasdaq-kyivstar-group-completes-jyjub0d35yuw.html