Ukraine Telecom Shares Surge as Peace Talks Gain Momentum

Ukraine Telecom's US stock, Kyivstar Group, surged 17% on its second day of trading after a merger with a SPAC. The company has former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on its board and serves nearly 23 million mobile customers. Investors have favored companies linked to an end to the war this year, with a UBS basket of European stocks up 32% year-to-date. Veon, the parent company, rose 4% on Monday.

Kyivstar Group's stock (KYIV) surged 17% on its second day of trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market, following its merger with Cohen Circle Acquisition Corp. I (CCIR), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The company, which serves nearly 23 million mobile customers in Ukraine, saw its shares rise to $15.86 from an opening price of $13.86 [1].

The merger, which closed on Thursday, marks a significant milestone for Kyivstar Group, making it the first Ukrainian company to list on a U.S. stock exchange. The company's parent, telecom group VEON (VEON), retains an 89.6% stake in the newly listed entity [2]. The merger also coincides with a highly anticipated summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which could potentially impact peace negotiations between the two countries [1].

Investors have favored companies linked to an end to the war in Ukraine this year. A UBS basket of European stocks is up 32% year-to-date, reflecting investor optimism [1]. Veon's stock also rose 4% on Monday, reflecting investor confidence in the company's strategic move [1].

Kyivstar Group's CEO, Oleksandr Komarov, has expressed optimism about the company's prospects. He stated that a Russia-Ukraine peace deal could boost the company's value [1]. Additionally, Kyivstar Group is planning to launch Direct-to-Cell connectivity in the fourth quarter of 2025 in partnership with Elon Musk's Starlink, which could further enhance the company's connectivity capabilities [3].

The successful merger and listing of Kyivstar Group on the Nasdaq Stock Market indicate the company's strategic positioning for increased visibility and potential capital access, which could accelerate technological deployments and market expansion [2].

References:
[1] https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2025:newsml_L6N3U70CX:0-ukraine-s-kyivstar-jumps-in-landmark-nasdaq-listing-after-spac-deal-close/
[2] https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/kyivstar-edges-closer-to-nasdaq-listing-via-spac-merger-with-cohen-circle/
[3] https://www.ainvest.com/news/veon-successfully-tests-starlink-direct-cell-technology-ukraine-enhancing-connectivity-2508/