Rishi Sunak takes up advisory role to Volodymyr Zelensky on Ukraine’s economy

Members of the council will advise Mr Zelensky and his economic adviser, Chrystia Freeland, the former Canadian deputy prime minister.

Mr Sunak said he had been “honoured to support Ukraine as Prime Minister” and praised Mr Zelensky, along with the Ukrainian people, for showing “such bravery, such strength, such ingenuity in their resistance in this war”.

He said: "The West needs a strong Ukraine, and a strong Ukraine needs a strong economy."

The former Conservative leader added: "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."

Mr Sunak continued: "We can help build a strong and secure Ukraine that will be a keystone of a safer and more prosperous Europe."

The council held its inaugural meeting on Thursday.

Mr Sunak was joined by World Bank president Ajay Banga and Odile Renaud-Basso, president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Executives from Siemens, BlackRock, Citigroup and ArcelorMittal were also in attendance.

Mr Zelensky said discussions focused on “strengthening Ukraine's energy resilience” ahead of winter, as well as “broader opportunities for investment”, including in the defence sector.

Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities have caused severe disruption in recent months, with Kyiv accusing Moscow of attempting to “weaponise” freezing winter temperatures.

The Ukrainian leader said: "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 added: "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."

The role is the latest addition to Mr Sunak’s expanding portfolio since leaving Downing Street.

The MP for Richmond and Northallerton has taken advisory positions with Goldman Sachs, Microsoft and artificial intelligence firm Anthropic.

He also holds a visiting fellowship at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.

Mr Sunak maintains unpaid roles with the Bloomberg New Economy Forum and the Blavatnik School of Government, writes a column for the Sunday Times, and runs a mathematics charity with his wife, Akshata Murty.

According to his register of interests, he donates the majority of his non-parliamentary earnings to various charitable causes.

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