Ambassador Oleksiy Gavrysh delivered a speech at Virke’s Conference "Ready for Crisis - The Role of Business and Industry in Norway’s Total Preparedness", where he shared Ukraine's firsthand experience of economic survival under full-scale war and drew lessons directly relevant to Norwegian businesses.

Ambassador Gavrysh emphasized that civil preparedness cannot be treated as a government responsibility alone. When centralised warehouses were destroyed and logistics collapsed in the opening weeks of the full-scale invasion, it was small shops, local farmers and mid-size transport companies that kept Ukrainian cities fed. As Russia systematically targeted the national energy grid, ordinary cafés and private businesses transformed into charging points and warming shelters.

"It is a big mistake to expect that the army alone can defend a country. Only cooperation between the army, civil society, business, police and emergency services can do it," the Ambassador emphasized.

Oleksiy Gavrysh outlined four key lessons for Norwegian businesses: the importance of adaptability and contingency planning; the need to invest in digital resilience and cybersecurity before crises occur; and the necessity of prioritizing people above all else. “Factories can be rebuilt, machinery can be purchased, but people make the business,” the Ambassador noted.

Oleksiy Gavrysh closed by inviting Norwegian companies to deepen engagement with Ukraine as a strategic partner: "Ukraine today is not just a battlefield. It is the future largest construction site in Europe - and the best time to build connections with Ukrainian businesses is now."