Rishi Sunak Accepts Advisory Role for Ukraine's Economic Renewal Under Zelensky
The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, has formally accepted a position on President Volodymyr Zelensky's International Advisory Council for the Economic Renewal of Ukraine. This unpaid role was disclosed in documents released on Friday by the independent adviser on ministerial standards, confirming Sunak's involvement in supporting Ukraine's post-war reconstruction efforts.
Council Aims to Provide Expert Economic Guidance
The advisory council is designed to assemble a panel of international experts who will offer strategic advice to both President Zelensky and his economic adviser, former Canadian deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland. Sunak expressed his honour in continuing to support Ukraine, a commitment he maintained during his premiership. He praised Zelensky's leadership and the resilience of the Ukrainian people, stating, "The West needs a strong Ukraine, and a strong Ukraine needs a strong economy."
He further elaborated, "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."
First Meeting Includes Global Leaders and Business Representatives
Sunak participated in the council's inaugural meeting on Thursday, alongside other prominent international figures. These included World Bank president Ajay Banga and the president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Odile Renaud-Basso. The meeting also featured representatives from major corporations such as Siemens, BlackRock, Citigroup, and ArcelorMittal, highlighting a broad coalition of support for Ukraine's economic revival.
In a post on social media platform X, President Zelensky outlined the discussions, which focused on "strengthening Ukraine's energy resilience" in preparation for the upcoming winter and exploring "broader opportunities for investment," including in the defence industry. This comes amid ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which Kyiv has accused Moscow of using as a weapon to exploit harsh winter conditions.
Zelensky expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank you to the representatives for supporting Ukraine throughout these years of full-scale Russian aggression. Even during the war, after such a winter, our country lives. We are open to partnership, to joint projects, to investments that will support our people and our security. Thank you to everyone who invests in Ukraine's resilience."
Sunak's Expanding Portfolio of Post-Premiership Roles
This advisory position marks the latest in a series of appointments for Sunak since leaving office. While he continues to serve as the MP for Richmond and Northallerton, he has taken on roles advising financial and tech giants, including Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, and AI company Anthropic. Additionally, Sunak is a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University in California, where he previously studied.
His other unpaid positions include involvement with the Bloomberg New Economy Forum and the Blavatnik School of Government. Sunak also writes a column for the Sunday Times and runs a mathematics charity with his wife, Akshata Murty. According to his official register of interests, he donates the majority of his income from these non-parliamentary jobs to charitable causes.
The move underscores Sunak's ongoing engagement in global economic and diplomatic affairs, positioning him as a key figure in international efforts to support Ukraine's recovery and stability in the face of ongoing conflict.
