Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
President Biden today announced the appointment of Penny Pritzker as the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery. In this role, she will work with the Ukrainian government, the G7, the EU, international financial institutions, international partners, and one of our great assets – the American private sector – to help forge Ukraine’s future as a prosperous, secure, European democracy. Special Representative Pritzker will drive efforts to shape donor priorities through the Multi-Agency Donor Coordination Platform to align them with Ukraine’s needs and to galvanize international partners to increase their support for Ukraine. She will also work closely with the government of Ukraine as it intensifies reforms needed to win the future, open export markets, mobilize foreign direct investment, and catalyze economic recovery.
Special Representative Pritzker’s extensive private sector experience, service as Secretary of Commerce, and deep personal connection to Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora make her uniquely qualified for this task. Tracing their roots to the village of Velyki Pritsky outside of Kyiv, her family owned a grain store before emigrating the United States more than 100 years ago. Special Representative Pritzker is a deeply committed leader trusted across the political spectrum for her proven track record of delivering positive outcomes and results.
Special Representative Pritzker’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to strengthen Ukraine’s European future and follows new economic and security commitments announced at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London and in Vilnius by the G7+ and NATO. Her role will build on the steadfast work of the State Department, USAID, the Commerce Department, and other agencies to accelerate Ukraine’s economic transformation. She will be key to our determination to see to it that Ukraine not only survives but thrives, standing on its own.
I welcome Special Representative Pritzker to the role and extend my deep gratitude for her renewed public service.
