US President Joe Biden on Thursday, September 14, announced the appointment of Penny Pritzker as US special representative for Ukraine’s economic recovery, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a statement.
It is noted that in this position, Pritzker will work with the Ukrainian government, the G7, the EU, international financial institutions, international partners and the U.S. private sector “to help shape Ukraine’s future as a prosperous, secure, European democracy.”
The Special Representative will lead efforts to shape donor priorities through the Interagency Donor Coordination Platform to align them with Ukraine’s needs and encourage international partners to increase their support for Ukraine. She will also work closely with the Ukrainian government, which is stepping up reforms needed to open export markets, attract foreign direct investment, and accelerate economic recovery.
The State Department emphasized that Pritzker has extensive experience in the private sector, serving as U.S. Secretary of Commerce, and personal ties to Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora.
“Her family hails from the village of Velykye Pritzky near Kiev, where she owned a granary more than 100 years ago before emigrating to the United States. Ms. Pritzker is a deeply committed leader who is trusted across the political spectrum for her proven track record of achieving positive results,” the statement said.
Blinken said the appointment of the Special Representative demonstrates the U.S. commitment to strengthening Ukraine’s European future and is in line with the new economic and security commitments announced at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London and Vilnius.
“I welcome Special Representative Pritzker to this position and express my deep appreciation for her resumption of public service,” the Secretary of State concluded.
