The United States and Ukraine’s other partners are already working on Ukraine’s economic recovery at a time when Kyiv is focusing on self-defense, U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker said at a briefing in Washington.
According to her, both the Ukrainian government and its partners know that “part of Putin’s military strategy is to try to destroy Ukraine’s economy.”
“Defeating Putin will require not only continued commitment from governments, but also increased private sector engagement, such as a business advisory council, to be more flexible and responsive to the complex and changing environment in Ukraine,” said Pritzker, who served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce from 2013 to 2017.
Among the work already completed is the creation of the Donor Coordination Platform (MDCP), which held its first steering committee meeting in Kyiv, the official said. The MDCP intends to launch a business advisory board at a conference on Ukraine’s recovery in June. The conference, which will be hosted by Germany, will be an opportunity for Ukrainians to demonstrate their progress in reforms, Pritzker said.
The U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery also noted that the Ukrainian economy, like its army, remains vibrant and resilient. The country’s GDP is expected to grow by about 4% in 2024, following a 5% increase last year, and government revenues were up 25% in January 2024 compared to the same month the previous year, she said.
