Ukraine can cover 9 of 14 EU technological dependencies: EU-Ukraine Digital Sector Interlinkages ...

20 January 2026 y.

The European Union could engage Ukraine as a strategic partner to address key digital dependencies.

This conclusion is based on the EU-Ukraine Digital Sector Interlinkages Report — the first comprehensive study comparing 14 critical EU technological dependencies, identified by the European Commission, with the actual capabilities of the Ukrainian IT market.

Below, we highlight the main findings of the study, with the full report available via the link. The research was prepared by a consortium of Ukrainian and European IT clusters as part of the ITBridge project.

The EU's Strategic Digital Dependencies

The European Commission has identified 14 technology areas where dependence on non-European companies poses a critical risk.

Five are recognized as security threats: Big Data & Analytics, Cloud, Edge & Fog Computing, Cybersecurity, IoT & Embedded Systems, Semiconductors & Microelectronics

Nine more pose risks to economic competitiveness: Web Platforms & Applications, AI & ML, AR/VR/XR, 5G & Next-Gen Connectivity, Quantum Technologies, Unmanned Vehicles, Robotics & Automation, Enterprise Process Automation

According to the ITBridge research, Ukraine can be the EU's partner in 9 of these areas — Big Data & Analytics, Cybersecurity, Cloud, Edge & Fog Computing, IoT & Embedded Systems (critical) — and Unmanned Vehicles, Web Platforms & Applications, AI & ML, Enterprise Process Automation, Robotics & Automation.

Comparing EU and Ukraine Digital Sectors: Key Indicators

What Ukraine Offers: Numbers in Context

$6.8 billion in IT services exports in 2024. This accounts for 37.7% of Ukraine's total services exports — the country's largest service industry. For European businesses, this means the market is mature, companies are accustomed to export work, and "first-mover" risks are minimal.

Dynamics of Ukraine's IT services exports 2020-2025 (NBU data)

328,000 tech specialists, 20,000+ graduates annually. A talent pool that enables project scaling. If a pilot succeeds — there are people to roll it out.

Number of IT industry specialists by category (YCMarket data)

Diia.City with residents Samsung, SAP, Visa, Nokia. A regulatory environment validated by global players. Competitive tax regime, legal tools based on common law principles — conditions are clear and predictable.

Diia City: resident data as of end of 2025 (Ministry of Digital Transformation data)

93% of companies serve international markets. A key indicator: no need to teach partners how to work with foreign clients — processes, standards, and communication are already in place.

Ukraine's Core Technological Capabilities

Ukraine's tech industry is an innovation engine with world-class, battle-tested expertise.

Frontier Leader — Internationally Distinctive Capability:

• Unmanned Vehicles: A globally recognized hub for innovation in aerial, ground, and maritime drones.
• Web Platforms & Applications: A mature, agile, and scalable ecosystem providing end-to-end digital solutions.

Strong Performer — Established, Export-Ready Capability:

• AI & ML — computer vision, NLP, intelligent automation.
• Big Data & Analytics — data warehouses, analytical systems, BI tools.
• Cloud, Edge & Fog Computing — scalable infrastructure for business.
• IoT & Embedded Systems — solutions for AgriTech, manufacturing, logistics.
• Robotics & Automation — from production lines to business processes.
• Blockchain & Distributed Ledger — decentralized transactions and data management systems.
• Cybersecurity. Ukraine repels state-level cyberattacks daily. This expertise in systems resilience is a unique selling proposition for European businesses and governments.

The EU's Open Door: Market of Opportunity for Ukrainian Innovation

The European Union has demonstrated its readiness to cooperate by establishing clear rules and financial opportunities for Ukrainian companies. The EU Single Market opens real opportunities for business development — these are not declarations, but practical conditions for growth.

For Business

• Full Access to the Single Market Programme — Ukrainian businesses can now participate in EU initiatives on the same footing as EU member state companies, opening doors to a market of 450 million consumers.
• Horizon Europe and Digital Europe Programme provide access to billions of euros in EU funding for joint R&D, innovation, and digitalization projects. Ukrainian companies can join consortia and receive direct funding.
• Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). The world's largest business support network, helping companies find international partners, enter new markets, and integrate into European supply chains.
• European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs). Six such hubs operate in Ukraine. They provide SMEs with a range of services: testing new technologies, access to training programs, assistance in finding European partners. Effectively a "one-stop shop" for Ukrainian SMEs planning technology cooperation with the EU.

For Clusters

• European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP). A platform for finding partners among European clusters, entering new markets, and integrating into European value chains.
• EU-Ukraine Cluster Partnership Programme. A program for direct funding of cooperation projects between Ukrainian and European clusters. The ITBridge project, which produced this research, is implemented within this framework.

This framework sends an unmistakable signal: the EU is invested in building a shared digital future with Ukraine, providing the tools, resources, and market access needed for a truly synergistic partnership.

Call to Action for European Business Leaders

The path to a more resilient and innovative Europe runs through Ukraine. To seize this opportunity, European businesses are encouraged to:

• Form Strategic Co-Development Partnerships, not just order services. Engage Ukrainian tech firms as equal partners in innovation. Leverage their expertise to co-create next-generation products, solutions, and shared intellectual property.
• Co-Invest in Ukraine's Industrial Modernization. Explore joint ventures to implement Industry 4.0 solutions in Ukraine's manufacturing, agriculture, and energy sectors, creating a secure, proximate, and technologically advanced supply chain for Europe.
• Leverage a Favorable Investment Climate. Utilize the transparent legal and fiscal frameworks of Diia.City and EU-backed programmes to de-risk investments and structure long-term, high-growth ventures.

By fostering these deep, innovation-led partnerships, EU and Ukrainian businesses can collectively strengthen Europe's digital sovereignty, accelerate economic growth, and define the next decade of global technological leadership.

READ THE FULL REPORT

EU-Ukraine Digital Sector Interlinkages Report is created by Kharkiv IT Cluster, Transilvania IT Cluster (Romania), Cluster Digital de Catalunya (Spain), Dnipro IT Community, and Odesa IT Family as part of the ITBridge project — a strategic initiative to strengthen cooperation between the European Union and Ukraine in the digital sector.

The ITBridge project is funded by the European Union through the Single Market Programme under grant agreement №101196018. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.