Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has begun advising the Ukrainian government on economic recovery as Kyiv seeks to restore its energy sector by next winter, the Guardian reports. The Independent.
The publication explains that documents released on Friday by the independent adviser on ministerial standards show that the former British prime minister has accepted an unpaid position on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's International Advisory Council on Ukraine's Economic Recovery.
The advisory council is expected to provide a panel of experts to advise both Zelensky and his economic advisor, former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada Chrystia Freeland.
Sunak said it was an "honour" to support Ukraine as prime minister, praising Zelensky's leadership and the Ukrainian people for showing "such courage, such strength, such ingenuity in their resistance in this war."
“The West needs a strong Ukraine, and a strong Ukraine needs a strong economy. That is why I am very pleased to join the international group advising President Zelensky on economic recovery. I am confident that Ukraine – with its human capital, natural resources and culture of innovation – can become one of the most dynamic economies in Europe,” — added the former British Prime Minister.
He expressed confidence that with their help, Ukraine will become safe.
"We can help build a strong and secure Ukraine, which will become the cornerstone of a more secure and prosperous Europe," — Sunak added.
According to the publication, the former British Prime Minister participated in the first meeting of the council on Thursday, February 26, along with other international figures, including World Bank President Ajayi Banga and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development President Odile Renaud-Basso.
It is added that representatives of companies such as Siemens, BlackRock, Citigroup and ArcelorMittal also participated in the meeting.
According to the Ukrainian President's post on the social network X, the group discussed "strengthening Ukraine's energy resilience" ahead of next winter, as well as "broader investment opportunities," including in the country's defense industry.
The publication highlights that Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have become a serious problem in recent months, with Kyiv accusing Moscow of trying to "weaponize" the cold in a country where temperatures regularly drop well below freezing.
"Thank you to the representatives for supporting Ukraine during these years of full-scale Russian aggression. Even during the war, after such a winter, our country lives. We are open to partnerships, joint projects, investments that will support our people and our security. Thank you to everyone who invests in the resilience of Ukraine," Zelensky said.
The article says Sunak's role as Ukraine adviser is the latest in a series of appointments since leaving office. While remaining the MP for Richmond and Northallerton, Sunak has gone on to work as an adviser to Goldman Sachs, Microsoft and artificial intelligence company Anthropic.
