Chrystia Freeland, a former Canadian deputy prime minister, has been named an economic development adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy said Freeland’s experience will help Ukraine attract investment and strengthen its economy as the war with Russia continues. He said Ukraine needs to rebuild quickly if peace talks succeed, or stay strong if the war lasts longer.
Freeland, who has Ukrainian roots, served as Canada’s deputy prime minister from 2019 to 2024 and has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since Russia invaded in 2022. She stepped down from Canada’s cabinet in September 2025 and said she would not run in the next federal election.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney later asked Freeland to become Canada’s special representative for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Canada has committed $22 billion in military, humanitarian and economic support to Ukraine since the invasion.
Zelenskyy said a peace agreement is close, and Ukrainian and U.S. officials are already working on plans for rebuilding the country. International partners are also discussing a long-term economic support package worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
Freeland has previously been sanctioned by Russia and has pushed for freezing Russian assets. She has also clashed with U.S. President Donald Trump over trade negotiations in the past.
