Zelenskyy meets with reps of intl business, financial institutions and energy companies
In Davos, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in a panel session of the International Advisory Council for Ukraine's Recovery. The event was attended by, among others, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, EU Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, World Bank President Ajay Banga, UN Development Programme Administrator Alexander De Croo, as well as representatives of international business, financial institutions and energy companies.
"We are grateful for the attention to Ukraine and for the support, which is especially crucial now, as such Russian strikes aim to destroy people and cities by exposing them to the cold. Everything must now work to ensure Ukraine's resilience and the strength of our people in Ukraine. We must be realistic and implement specific things now that people can actually feel. We will work productively with everyone who stands with Ukraine," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.
According to the Ukrainian president’s website, one of the main topics of discussion was ways to help address challenges in the energy sector caused by Russian strikes. The meeting also focused on increasing investment in projects in Ukraine after the achievement of a just peace. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is convinced this will become possible once Ukraine receives reliable security guarantees.
"Security guarantees for our people are extremely important. But they are also essential for investment and for business – for everyone. And that is a good thing. We are now at a point where we understand this, Europeans understand it, and Americans understand it as well: we all need security guarantees, first and foremost from America, and then from Europe. I hope we will be able to finalize the reconstruction package, the prosperity package that our teams are currently working on," the President said.
The participants also discussed how business operates in Ukraine amid the full-scale war. The Head of State noted that despite the war, domestic businesses continue to operate and grow – and, most importantly, to implement modern technologies and innovations.
"I thank all representatives of energy companies, businesses, and institutions who participated," Zelenskyy said.
Participants included European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis, President of the World Bank Ajay Banga, United Nations Development Program Administrator Alexander De Croo, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock Larry Fink, as well as founders and executives of the following companies: Fortescue (Australia), Vestas (Denmark), Schneider Electric (France), Siemens Energy (Germany), TenneT (Netherlands), Equinor (Norway), Sonae (Portugal), Vattenfall (Sweden), ABB (Switzerland), Koç Holding (Türkiye), Bank of America (United Kingdom), Arup Group (United Kingdom), Henry Schein (United States), AES (United States), Bunge Global (United States), Citi (United States), and Goldman Sachs.