Former UK PM joins effort to rebuild Ukraine’s wartime economy

Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak has joined an international group advising Ukraine on economic reconstruction, becoming one of several global figures assisting the government of Volodymyr Zelenskyy on postwar recovery.

Documents released by the independent adviser on ministerial standards show Sunak has taken an unpaid position on Zelenskyy’s International Advisory Council for the Economic Renewal of Ukraine, according to British media.

The body is intended to provide strategic economic guidance to the Ukrainian leadership and to Zelenskyy’s economic adviser, former Canadian deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland.

Sunak said he was honoured to continue supporting Ukraine after leaving office, stressing that a strong Ukrainian economy is essential for European security. He expressed confidence that Ukraine’s human capital, natural resources and innovative potential could help transform it into one of Europe’s most dynamic economies and said international cooperation could help build a stable and secure country.

The council held its first meeting on Thursday with participation from senior international financial leaders, including Ajay Banga of the World Bank and Odile Renaud-Basso, head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Major global companies — Siemens, BlackRock, Citigroup and ArcelorMittal — were also represented.

In a message published on X, Zelenskyy said discussions focused on strengthening Ukraine’s energy resilience before next winter and expanding investment opportunities, including in the defence sector. Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have intensified pressure on Kyiv, which accuses Moscow of attempting to use winter conditions as a tool of warfare.

Zelenskyy thanked international partners for continued support, saying Ukraine remains open to joint projects and investment aimed at strengthening both civilian resilience and national security despite the ongoing war.

The advisory role adds to several positions Sunak has taken since leaving Downing Street. While remaining a member of parliament, he advises Goldman Sachs, Microsoft and artificial intelligence firm Anthropic. He is also affiliated with the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, holds unpaid roles at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum and the Blavatnik School of Government, writes for the The Sunday Times, and runs a mathematics charity with his wife.

According to his official register of interests, most income from his non-parliamentary work is donated to charity.

By Tamilla Hasanova