Over the last year, Special Representative Penny Pritzker has been a tireless advocate of Ukraine’s economic recovery. She has traveled to Ukraine six times, leading multiple CEO delegations to Kyiv, and making stops across Europe, all with the primary objective of helping the people of Ukraine lay the groundwork for full-scale economic recovery and EU accession. I am grateful for Penny’s public service, and for re-joining government and stepping into this role at such a critical time.
Penny’s accomplishments are numerous. She championed the cause for approximately $9 billion in economic assistance to Ukraine in the most recent supplemental; helped launch the G7+ Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform Business Advisory Council to provide essential private sector insights, expertise, and visibility in support of Ukraine’s recovery; supported Ukraine’s effort to pass key economic reforms to catalyze private sector investment; started a Defense Industrial Base “Deal Team” that accelerates licensing, co-production, and joint ventures between U.S. and Ukrainian defense companies; and worked closely with private sector companies to bring essential war-risk insurance to market. As a result, Ukraine is better prepared for its future integrated with Euro-Atlantic institutions and plugged into European and global markets.
While Penny’s position is limited to one year by statute, the work she began will continue. Deputy Secretary of State for Management & Resources Richard Verma will carry forward her work in service of the United States’ efforts to support Ukraine’s economic recovery. The Biden administration is committed to helping Ukraine stand strongly on its own feet – militarily, economically, and democratically.
