📢🇺🇦 We are pleased to share an important contribution by Luke Wochensky (Partner) and Yulia Eismont (Counsel) who have co-authored a timely article for ICLG – Sanctions 2025: “Ukraine Tightens Sanctions Enforcement, Criminal Liability on the Horizon.” ⚖️ As Ukraine strengthens its alignment with EU and international standards, draft law No. 12406 marks a pivotal shift in the country’s approach to sanctions enforcement. Once adopted, it will introduce criminal liability for breaches and evasion of sanctions, with significant implications for both domestic and international businesses. The article explores: 🔸 Introduction of Article 114-3 to the Criminal Code of Ukraine 🔸 Definition of “evasion” and its far-reaching application 🔸 Sanctions liability for resident and non-resident entities and individuals 🔸 Penalties including fines, disqualification, imprisonment, and confiscation 🔸 Enhanced international cooperation and enforcement trends With Ukraine advancing toward EU integration and global alignment, companies must act swiftly to update compliance frameworks and mitigate exposure. 🔗 Read the full briefing here: https://lnkd.in/dyBkzj7D 📲 For guidance on how to stay compliant with the recent changes, feel free to reach out to Luke or Yulia. #ExceptionalTogether #SanctionsCompliance #Ukraine #CriminalLaw #ICLG #EUCompliance #RiskManagement #CorporateGovernance #BusinessLaw #LegalUpdate #UkraineLaw #SanctionsEnforcement

📣 We are delighted to announce that Dilshad Khabibullaev has joined our Tashkent office as a Partner. With over two decades of experience in infrastructure, investment, and public-private partnership (PPP) projects—particularly in the transportation sector—Dilshad brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to our team in Uzbekistan and the broader Central Asia region. 🌏 Throughout his notable career, Dilshad has played a key role in pioneering transport infrastructure projects in Uzbekistan, including the country’s first airport PPP, first toll road PPP, and first traffic video surveillance investment project. His expertise spans both the automotive and aviation industries, where he has consistently delivered strategic legal counsel on complex, high-impact projects. Dilshad’s professional journey includes experience in both the public and private sectors, including roles as an in-house counsel. He is also a published author, contributing thought leadership through books and articles focused on business and investment law in Uzbekistan. 💬 “We are delighted to welcome Dilshad to Kinstellar. His outstanding reputation and deep sector knowledge, particularly in infrastructure and transportation, will significantly bolster our Projects & Infrastructure and Corporate/M&A practices across the region.” - Joel B. Benjamin, Office Managing Partner, Central Asia 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dijgpg-V #ExceptionalTogether #Partner #TeamGrowth #Tashkent #Uzbekistan #CentralAsia #PPP #Transportation #Infrastructure #MergersAndAcquisitions

📢 🇮🇹 🇺🇦 Meet us at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (#URC) 2025 in #Rome on 10–11 July! Ferenczi Kristóf (Firm Managing Partner), Olena Kuchynska (Managing Partner, Kyiv), Oleg Matiusha (Partner, Kyiv) and Boryana Boteva (Senior Counsel, Sofia) will be on-site at this high-level event dedicated to Ukraine’s recovery and long-term resilience. 🍽️ Kinstellar will be hosting a private dinner for select guests — representatives from the industry, government, and financial institutions to share how our collective efforts can help to build a more resilient future for #Ukraine and the wider region. Olena and Oleg will take part in a series of side-events alongside #URC2025 — focusing on infrastructure, energy, sustainable development, and finance — creating more opportunities to connect and collaborate. 🌍 URC2025 brings together governments, financial institutions, businesses, and civil society to accelerate the #rebuilding of Ukraine. The Business Fair and Recovery Forum will be key platforms for driving impactful partnerships. 📩 Will you be there? Contact us and let's explore new opportunities! #UkraineRecovery #RebuildingUkraine #InvestInUkraine #CEE #PublicPrivatePartnership #PostWarRecovery #LegalInsights #ExceptionalTogether #UkraineRecoveryConference

🌐 The digital transformation of the automotive industry brings not only innovation but also a wave of regulatory and legal challenges under EU law. From GDPR compliance in infotainment systems to cybersecurity obligations under the NIS 2 Directive, vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, and tech providers are navigating an increasingly complex data environment. 📌 What does privacy by design mean in connected vehicles? 📌 How does the Data Act reshape access to vehicle data for third parties? 🔍 These are just some of the questions explored by our experts from Bratislava, Lukas A. Mrazik (Managing Associate) and Tomas Vick (Senior Associate), in a short overview highlighting the key legal and compliance issues affecting the future of digital mobility — read it here: https://lnkd.in/duHacs8q #ExceptionalTogether #InTheKnow #Slovakia #EULaw #Automotive #Innovation #GDPR #CyberSecurity #NIS2

📈 We are pleased to have supported Banca Intesa with the first issuance of collateral-free mini bonds in #Serbia - a significant milestone in the development of the local capital market. This innovative transaction, worth RSD 470 million, was arranged for Diopta, a leading optical retailer in the Western Balkans. It marks a significant advancement in the expansion of financing opportunities for SMEs. 🏦 Throughout this pioneering issuance, we advised Banca Intesa, ensuring a secure and efficient legal framework aligned with the highest market standards. The deal forms part of the Minibond initiative by the Intesa Sanpaolo Group, which aims to promote sustainable economic growth and develop capital markets across the region. 💼 Led by Partner Petar Kojdic and Senior Associate Nevena Milosevic, our Belgrade team advised Banca Intesa on all aspects of the transaction, thereby laying the groundwork for future mini-bond issuances. We are proud to have played a direct role in shaping the future of SME corporate finance in Serbia. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d8GRP5EN #ExceptionalTogether #BancaIntesa #MiniBonds #SMEs #LegalInnovation #CapitalMarkets #NoCollateral #FinancialInnovation #EconomicGrowth

💡 Insights from Gullai Péter on Hungary’s evolving energy landscape We are proud to have Gullai Péter, Managing Associate in our Energy & Natural Resources team, featured in the Regulatory Market Talk section of BBJ - Budapest Business Journal’s Energy Review 2025. In this recent edition, Péter – together with Pal Sagvari, vice president for Strategic and International Affairs at the Hungarian Energy and Public Utility Regulatory Authority (MEKH) - talks about the critical role of regulation in Hungary’s energy transition and how regulatory frameworks can both encourage and challenge sustainable investment. Key topics discussed: ✅ Grid constraints remain the most critical bottleneck ✅ Shifts from KÁT and their impact on industrial consumers ✅ Battery energy storage systems (BESS) need clearer, simpler regulation For legal advice on energy-related matters or navigating Hungary’s evolving regulatory landscape, don’t hesitate to contact our Energy & Natural Resources team. 👇 Read the full article below. #ExceptionalTogether #InTheKnow #EnergyLaw #EnergyTransition #Regulatory #Sustainability #Hungary

📣 Our team advised the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the successful placement of USD 2.5 billion in sovereign U.S. dollar-denominated Eurobonds. This transaction marked a significant achievement, with Kazakhstan securing one of the lowest yield levels among A/BBB-rated sovereigns this year. The strong investor demand reflects the country’s solid macroeconomic fundamentals, including stable economic growth, low government debt, and robust external reserves.   This transaction highlights our growing track record in advising on complex, high-profile matters. The team was led by Pavel Kornilov (Counsel), with the support of Joel B. Benjamin (Managing Partner), Kamila Serik (Associate) and Akezhan Mukhambetzhanov (Associate). We appreciate the opportunity to contribute to such a milestone deal and thank the Ministry of Finance for their confidence in our team. 📰 Read more about the transaction here: https://lnkd.in/d_cGXx_D #ExceptionalTogether #DoneDeals #Kazakhstan #Almaty #Astana #Eurobonds #EcomomicGrowth