Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been appointed to an unpaid advisory position, assisting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with the nation's economic recovery efforts. This role forms part of President Zelensky's International Advisory Council for the Economic Renewal of Ukraine, as confirmed by documents released on Friday by the independent adviser on ministerial standards.
Strategic Focus on Energy and Investment
The advisory council is designed to provide expert guidance to both President Zelensky and his economic adviser, former Canadian deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland. Sunak participated in the council's inaugural meeting on Thursday, joining other prominent international figures including World Bank president Ajay Banga and Odile Renaud-Basso, president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Representatives from major global corporations such as Siemens, BlackRock, Citigroup, and ArcelorMittal also attended the session. In a social media post, President Zelensky highlighted that discussions centered on "strengthening Ukraine's energy resilience" ahead of the approaching winter, alongside exploring "broader opportunities for investment," including within the country's defence industry.
Addressing Critical Energy Challenges
Russian assaults on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have presented significant challenges in recent months, with Kyiv accusing Moscow of attempting to "weaponise" extreme cold in a nation where temperatures frequently plummet well below freezing. President Zelensky expressed gratitude to the council members, stating, "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."
He further emphasised, "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 Post-Premiership
This advisory role marks the latest in a series of appointments for Sunak since leaving office. While he continues to serve as the Member of Parliament for Richmond and Northallerton, Sunak has undertaken advisory positions with Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, and artificial intelligence firm Anthropic.
Additionally, he holds a visiting fellowship at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University in California, where he previously studied. Sunak also occupies unpaid roles at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum and the Blavatnik School of Government, authors a column for the Sunday Times, and manages a mathematics charity alongside his wife, Akshata Murty.
According to his official register of interests, Sunak donates the majority of his income from non-parliamentary roles to charitable causes.
