PR Perspectives & Public Relations Commentary
By EPR Editorial Team2 min read
Financial Advisor to Ukraine’s Prime Minister Paying Ben Barnes Group $100K A Month
By EPR Editorial Team2 min read
The Ben Barnes Group, led by Ben Barnes, the former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives has been hired effective October 15th, 2015 by a shadowy law firm based in the British Virgin Islands with close ties to Ukrainian Prime Minister Petro Poroshenko at the fee of $100,000 per month. AS Prima Societas is the law firm who hired Barnes – yet they have no website nor information available on-line – and are owned (at least on paper) by “Artem Saprykia Consulting” according to documents which have been filed with the United States Department of Justice. Those same documents reveal that Barnes’ funds are subsidized by Makar Paseniuk, who acts as Poroshenko’s financial adviser. Paseniuk’s company website – Investment Capital Ukraine (ICU) describes him as heading “the most experienced and professional” investment banking team in the Ukraine. He claims to have completed billions of dollars of deals in the last year. The Prime Minister’s chief financial advisor is hiring an American lobbying firm to help the country’s economy – in a nation already reeling from corruption. The group’s former Chairwoman left ICU to serve as head of the National Bank of Ukraine, which serves as the Central Bank for the nation. The agreement calls for Barnes to work in the media, in lobbying, communications and more to promote the interests of the firm “…in the international investment community and promote the economic and geopolitical interests of the government of Ukraine.” Further, “The services shall involve representing the company with regard to investment activity and opportunities, positioning the Company within the investment community at large, government and community advocacy….” 50-year old Poroshenko is the 5th President of the Ukraine whose wealth is currently estimated at $720 Million Dollars – having fallen substantially due to recent Ukrainian economic woes. He is known as the “chocolate king” of the region, owning the largest confectionery manufacturing operation in Ukraine, and he also owns several car plants, a television station and shipyard. Poroshenko vowed to sell his assets if he was elected – yet has not done so. While the Ukraine is at war with Russia, the economy has failed miserably. Paseniuk has been outspoken in recent months in encouraging investment into the Ukraine, claiming in a recent interview, “There is interest in investing into Ukraine. At present, we’re holding talks with 10 private equity funds – it concerns over $1 billion. They are looking for investment opportunities in the country.”
Written by
EPR Editorial Team
EPR Editorial Team - Author at Everything Public Relations
Other news
See all
EPR Editorial Team · 05/09/2026
25 U.S. Wellness Campaigns That Defined Digital Marketing—and the Agencies Quietly Powering Them
Wellness in the United States isn’t just a category anymore. It’s a culture.From mental health apps to fitness ecosystems, from supplements to sleep platforms, wellness brands have mastered digital marketing in ways traditional healthcare never did. They move fast, speak clearly,…
Editorial Team · 05/09/2026
25 Health Brand Campaigns That Redefined Digital Marketing
Health has always been emotional. Healthcare digital marketing, historically, has not.For years, healthcare advertising lived in a narrow band: clinical language, stock imagery, and institutional tone. It informed, but rarely connected. It explained, but rarely engaged.Then somet…
Editorial Team · 05/09/2026
Financial Services 2026: The GENIUS Act, AI-Driven Workforce Restructuring, and the Institutionalization of Digital Assets
EPR Financial Services Intelligence tracks the regulatory shifts and market dynamics defining banking, asset management, and digital assets. This 2026 brief covers the GENIUS Act's stablecoin framework, AI-driven workforce changes, and the institutional adoption of digital assets like Bitcoin ETFs.
Never Miss a Headline
Daily PR headlines, weekly long-form analysis, and our proprietary research drops — straight to your inbox.