On April 25, 2023, Rud Pedersen Group announced the opening of its 15th office in Kyiv, Ukraine

The Kyiv office will act as a local hub and trusted advisor to companies, institutions and organisations looking to engage with, invest in, and develop business in Ukraine, led by Myron Wasylyk.

[Please reach out to our Kyiv office to learn more and engage](/ua/meet-the-team/meet-the-team).

About the office

The new office will act as a local hub and trusted advisor to companies, institutions and organisations looking to engage with, invest in, and develop business in Ukraine. Furthermore, Rud Pedersen Group will act as a bridge-builder, advocating for a more integrated Europe in which Ukraine plays an important role. 

The Kyiv operations will be led by Myron Wasylyk, an internationally recognized public affairs expert and strategic communications advisor, with long experience of running public affairs offices in Ukraine, guiding international investors and working with some of Ukraine’s largest companies. 

*“I'm excited to be joining Rud Pedersen's global team and offering my thirty-five years of on-the-ground experience in Ukraine to clients. As one of the first and only public affairs and communications groups with a newly established presence in Kyiv, we are looking to build a strong pan-European offering by being at the heart of an increasingly strategically important capital city. The opening of Rud Pedersen in the region is a vote of confidence for Ukraine's efforts to rebuild and attract business and foreign direct investment.”*

Commenting on the latest expansion, CEO of Rud Pedersen Group, Morten Rud Pedersen said, *“I’m happy that we can finally open in Kyiv, I have wanted to do that since day one. Many international companies have scaled back due to security concerns, but Rud Pedersen Group is one of the first communications groups to move into Ukraine amidst the war and assist in rebuilding the country. I look forward to visiting our Kyiv office personally soon.”*

The invasion of Ukraine has fundamentally challenged European security and had a significant impact not just on Europe but on the global economy. Ukraine will likely be at the centre of attention in Europe and Western capitals for the coming decade. 

*“It is Rud Pedersen Group’s position that the best way to re-build Ukraine sustainably is through partnerships, trade and foreign investment in Ukrainian industries. We already experience considerable interest from clients on supporting them in Ukraine”,* Morten Rud Pedersen adds.

Rud Pedersen Group is a European consultancy with a strong footprint across 14 European countries, including at the heart of the EU, in Brussels. The new office in Kyiv is the embodiment of the dedication and hope for a free, democratic, peaceful and prosperous Ukraine. 

The new office will sit in the heart of Kyiv, on Independence Square (2, Maidan Nezalezhnosti sq.01012).

**

**About Rud Pedersen Group**
Rud Pedersen is one of Europe’s leading public affairs and strategic communications groups, with around 500 employees in 14 countries. The Group was awarded “EMEA Public Affairs Consultancy of the Year” at the 2023 SABRE awards.  

Rud Pedersen provides clear advice and practical support for organisations engaged in public discourse, to assist them in achieving their strategic objectives in a complex world. Clients range from major international corporates to local start-ups, public bodies and business associations, helping to navigate policy and regulation, reputation, issues and crises, marketing and recruitment. 

Rud Pedersen works seamlessly across Europe, and beyond, through multi-skilled teams that offer the best of our expertise, led by highly motivated partners who own the firm together. From the start, 20 years ago, we've built long-term relationships to create the platform for our own growth. Today, Rud Pedersen is underpinned by solid Nordic values: transparent, pragmatic, accessible and effective. Continuously evolving by investing in people, with a constant focus on solving the challenges facing our clients today, and tomorrow.

Rud Pedersen opens office in Kyiv: Building the bridge between Ukraine and Europe

“META Advisory – part of Rud Pedersen Group” will offer enhanced local service and a gateway to the rest of Europe for Estonian companies, as well as providing international clients with a secure entry into Estonia and the Baltic region.
The combination cements Rud Pedersen’s status as the fastest-growing public affairs and communications group with 480 people in its 14 European office locations.
The Group helps clients see the connections between markets and how regulatory decisions are reached, providing clients with insights into social and political processes to promote and influence support for their stories, issues and interests. 

“We have long admired META as an excellent competitor and now warmly welcome all our fine new colleagues to our group,” says Morten Rud Pedersen, Founder and CEO at Rud Pedersen Group. “We are on an exciting journey towards being a pan European, fully integrated consultancy serving international clients as they navigate this continent in all its glorious variety and complexity.”

The combined Rud Pedersen operations in Estonia will be led by Andreas Kaju, currently the managing partner of META Advisory. Commenting on the collaboration, he said:

“Rud Pedersen has become the best-in-class public affairs group in Europe, because its ambitions are inspired by leadership, execution and an entrepreneurial spirit. We became convinced of this through lengthy talks and discussions over many months. Rud Pedersen Group’s views match well with our own culture, where we value transparency and directness and helping our clients with the best solutions to their current and future challenges.” 

Kairi Uustulnd, who opened and built Rud Pedersen’s Tallinn office since 2018, will now be part of the Estonian management team and lead the public affairs team. Two other partners, Ann Hiiemaa and Rainer Laurits, will head the marketing communications and reputation management teams, respectively. 

Kairi Uustulnd welcomes the team from META Advisory, commenting:

“I am happy for our team and the company as we continue to grow stronger, but especially for our clients, who benefit the most from the merger. I firmly believe that the strength of our team is top local talent. Consultants with a deep knowledge and wide range of experience who are highly valued and trusted by our clients. Thanks to them, we have been able to quickly win the trust of our clients and continue to grow our business.”

Rud Pedersen Group provides clear advice and practical support for organisations engaged in public discourse, assisting them in achieving their strategic objectives in a complex world. Clients range from major international corporates to local start-ups, public bodies and business associations, and the group helps them to navigate policy and regulation, reputation, issues and crises, marketing and recruitment.

 Europe’s pre-eminent specialist public affairs consultancy Rud Pedersen Group acquires META Advisory in Estonia, cementing Baltic leadership

**What is Public Affairs?**
Public Affairs refers to the **engagement between businesses or organisations and the public** (namely government bodies).

Similar to public relations, strategic communication is at the heart of public affairs. Public affairs helps ensure businesses have an avenue to build relationships and communicate their point of view to relevant stakeholders, especially when it comes to the development of new policies and regulations.

**When Do You Need a Public Affairs Partner?**
Deciding to work with a public affairs partner often surfaces when:
- A business is subject to or affected by new or existing policies that could or have negatively affected a business.
- A business is expanding into new countries where the rules, regulations, or public opinions may differ and local expertise or stakeholder engagement is needed.
- A business is looking to build relationships or work with governmental bodies and needs assistance navigating processes and establishing relationships.

**How Can Rud Pedersen Public Affairs Help Your Business?**
Europe's fastest-growing and leading Public Affairs consulting firms, Rud Pedersen is made up of highly skilled consultants with strong stakeholder relationships across northern and central Europe and expanding quickly. We can help ensure your business is able to anticipate what governments and policy-makers will do, create a strategic plan, and engage the right stakeholders based on your business objectives to achieve your goals.

We are a leading European consultancy specialising in Public Affairs

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Rud Pedersen opens office in Kyiv: Building the bridge between Ukraine and Europe

Europe’s pre-eminent specialist public affairs consultancy Rud Pedersen Group acquires META Advisory in Estonia, cementing Baltic leadership

What is Public Affairs?

Rud Pedersen opens office in Kyiv: Building the bridge between Ukraine and Europe

Europe’s pre-eminent specialist public affairs consultancy Rud Pedersen Group acquires META Advisory in Estonia, cementing Baltic leadership

What is Public Affairs?