Big names in the Council for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Former British Prime Minister Sunak supports Zelensky

Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has become an advisor to the international council for the economic reconstruction of Ukraine, operating under the auspices of President Volodymyr Zelensky, the British portal Independent reported on Friday.

Sunak headed the British government from the end of October 2022 to the beginning of July 2024. Now, without remuneration, he has taken a job at the International Advisory Council for the Economic Reconstruction of Ukraine under the president of that country, the portal reported.

The council consists of experts who are to advise both Zelensky and his economic adviser. Key tasks: Investments and energy resilience of donors, former Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.

Why did Sunak join Zelensky's team?

Sunak said he joined the international group because “the West needs a strong Ukraine and a strong Ukraine needs a strong economy.”

(…) I am convinced that Ukraine – with its human capital, natural resources and culture of innovation – can become one of the most dynamic economies in Europe. We can help build a strong and secure Ukraine, which will be the pillar of a safer and more prosperous Europe, he added.

Sunak attended the first council meeting on Thursday along with, among others, the president of the World Bank, Ajay Banga, and the head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Odile Renaud-Basso. The meeting was also attended by representatives of global corporations, including Siemens, BlackRock, Citigroup and ArcelorMittal.

On Thursday, Zelensky said on Platform X that 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.

Key tasks: investments and energy resilience

According to the RBK-Ukraina website, Sunak is to help the President of Ukraine attract investments. The former British prime minister will work with Freeland and former Ukrainian ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova, who was appointed presidential adviser on reconstruction and investment in November.

Sunak, after the defeat of his Conservative Party in the July 2024 elections, resigned as leader of this party, but still sits in the House of Commons.

Last November, it was reported that Sunak had taken up advisory positions at technology giant Microsoft and artificial intelligence start-up Anthropic.

Sunak announced then that he would donate his entire remuneration from Microsoft and Anthropic to The Richmond Project, a foundation he and his wife run that aims to improve basic math skills among Britons. (PAP)

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