Former UK PM Sunak to advise Zelenskyy on Ukraine's economic renewal – media
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Rishi Sunak has taken up an unpaid position on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s International Advisory Council on Ukraine’s economic renewal, The Independent reported on Friday, citing documents published by the independent adviser on ministerial standards.
"So I am delighted to join the international group advising President Zelensky on economic reconstruction. I am confident that Ukraine – with its human capital, its natural resources, and its culture of innovation – can become one of the most dynamic economies in Europe. We can help build a strong and secure Ukraine that will be a keystone of a safer and more prosperous Europe," Sunak said, adding that "the West needs a strong Ukraine, and a strong Ukraine needs a strong economy."
The advisory council is expected to form a group of experts to advise both Zelenskyy and his economic adviser, former Canadian deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland.
The former British prime minister remains MP for Richmond and Northallerton and has already taken on advisory roles with Goldman Sachs, Microsoft and artificial intelligence company Anthropic. He is also a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University in California, where he studied; holds unpaid positions at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum and the Blavatnik School of Government; writes a column for The Sunday Times; and runs a charitable mathematics organisation with his wife Akshata Murty. According to his official register of interests, Sunak donates most of his income from non-parliamentary work to charity.
The publication notes that Sunak’s work will be linked to Ukraine’s efforts to restore its energy sector in time for next winter.
Sunak reportedly took part in the council’s first meeting on Thursday alongside other international figures, including World Bank President Ajay Banga and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development President Odile Renaud-Basso. Representatives of companies such as Siemens, BlackRock, Citigroup and ArcelorMittal also participated.
As reported, on February 26 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held the first meeting of the International Advisory Group on Investment Attraction and Economic Development of Ukraine, the presidential press service said. Participants focused on Ukraine’s energy resilience, preparations for next winter, the identification and implementation of investment projects for Ukraine, as well as investment opportunities in the defense industry.
