January 5,2026
RED FM News Desk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed former Canadian cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland as an adviser on economic development. Freeland, a longtime supporter of Ukraine, has argued the country could become a major economic power if it seizes opportunities that were missed after the Soviet Union collapsed.
Announcing the move on social media, Zelenskyy said Ukraine must strengthen its “internal resilience,” praising Freeland’s experience in attracting investment and managing economic reforms. He said that resilience is crucial both for rebuilding quickly if diplomacy succeeds, and for sustaining the country’s defence if the war drags on.
Freeland, who has Ukrainian heritage, previously served as deputy prime minister and recently became Canada’s special representative for Ukraine’s reconstruction. She left cabinet in September but remains an MP for Toronto’s University–Rosedale.
Her appointment comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney travels to Paris for talks with Ukraine’s allies. Freeland has also been named the next CEO of the Rhodes Trust in Oxford, where she is set to begin work July 1, though she has not said when she might resign her seat in Parliament. She has already said she won’t run in the next election and has continued voting mostly remotely while travelling for her Ukraine-related duties.
Loading ...
