Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed former Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland as his new economic development adviser, Politico reports.
Zelensky wrote in a post on the X that Freeland has excellent skills in these matters, as well as extensive experience in attracting investment and implementing economic change. The Canadian will work on a freelance basis. Zelensky added that Ukraine now needs to strengthen its internal resilience – both for the sake of rebuilding Ukraine if diplomacy brings results, and to strengthen its defense if the war continues due to the delay of partners.
Freeland, 57, was Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s deputy. In September, she left her post as Minister of Transport and Internal Trade in the cabinet of current Prime Minister Mark Carney to become Canada’s special envoy for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Freeland is known as a staunch supporter of Ukraine and is of Ukrainian descent on her mother’s side.
Freeland has not yet commented publicly on the announcement.
The Canadian’s appointment as an advisor is one of the latest steps in Zelensky’s office reshuffle.
He recently appointed Kyrylo Budanov, who previously headed Ukraine’s intelligence service, as the new head of the presidential administration, and Sergiy Kyslytsya, a former deputy foreign minister and long-time representative of Ukraine to the UN, was appointed as Budanov’s deputy. Zelensky has explained that the changes are necessary to improve Ukraine’s position in talks to end the war, as well as to face future challenges.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference on the 3rd of January, Zelensky said that the country can choose one of two paths. The first is peaceful diplomacy, which is currently a priority. The second path may have to be chosen if Russia does not agree to diplomacy and Kiyv’s allies do not stop it, and this would mean having to defend itself. Therefore, new forces are needed in all structures, and Zelensky will make changes everywhere just in case.
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