Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a meeting with the recently independent member of the supervisory board of Kyivstar, former U.S. Secretary of State and ex-CIA chief Mike Pompeo, who arrived in Kiev, the press service of the Office of the Head of State said on Friday evening.
It is noted that Yermak thanked the President of the United States, both houses and parties of the United States Congress and the entire American society for the strong support of Ukraine. He also expressed hope for the continuation of US support, because it is based on common democratic values and respect for international law, which the Ukrainian people defend.
The head of the Office of the President noted the need to send a clear signal to Russia that by its aggression it cannot violate the sovereignty of independent states and determine the fate of other free nations.
Pompeo noted after joining Kyivstar’s nabsociety board that talking about its nationalization would be a step backward because Ukraine will need a huge amount of private sector investment, foreign direct investment, and support from Europe and the private sector in the United States to overcome the effects of the war.
“If property rights, including those of shareholders in the United States, are not protected and companies that benefit the Ukrainian people are not preserved, it would be a strategic mistake for Ukraine and would make rebuilding Ukraine and supporting that country in the years ahead much more difficult and expensive and capital flows much more limited,” the former U.S. secretary of state emphasized.
Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President, KYIVSTAR, MIKE POMPEO
Andy Hunder, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, today met with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv to deliver the voice of business in the course of the Secretary’s visit to Ukraine.
Andy Hunder thanked Secretary Pompeo and the entire U.S. Department of State for providing support to all AmChams throughout 43 European countries. AmCham Ukraine’s office is, by far, the biggest in Europe.
Mr. Hunder delivered AmCham Business Climate Survey and provided tangible examples of realities of doing business on the ground, voicing member companies’ success stories. He stressed that the mood of business is upbeat, with 88% of AmCham members seeing increased growth in revenues and 65% increasing investment in Ukraine.
“Ukraine is ripe for U.S. investment, and now is the time to invest in Ukraine. There is a need to shift the narrative on U.S.-Ukraine relations to focus on business and investment. Ukraine is going through a massive overhaul and the 600 members of the American Chamber of Commerce are seeing growth and increased revenues for their business in Ukraine,” commented Andy Hunder, President of the American Chamber of Commerce at the meeting with Mike Pompeo on January 31st.
The parties also discussed rule of law, further cooperation with the IMF, unlock of the U.S. Export-Import Bank’s (EXIM) full financing capacity, and OPIC’s transformation into the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
Andy Hunder thanked Secretary Pompeo for the constant support that Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Kristina Kvien and the whole U.S. Embassy team provide to members.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine sees that the business optimism is growing and will continue to help businesses grow in Ukraine throughout 2020.
