Zelenskyy appoints ex-Canadian finance minister as economic development adviser

"Chrystia is highly skilled in these matters and has extensive experience in attracting investment and implementing economic transformations," his statement says.

The Ukrainian leader stresses that Ukraine now needs to increase its internal stability.

"For the sake of Ukraine's recovery if diplomacy delivers results as swiftly as possible, and to reinforce our defense if, because of delays by our partners, it takes longer to bring this war to an end," Zelenskyy emphasizes.

Chrystia Freeland

Chrystia Freeland is a writer, journalist, and politician. She served as Deputy Prime Minister of Canada from November 20, 2019, and as Minister of Finance of Canada from August 18, 2020, to December 16, 2024.

Freeland is one of 13 Canadians banned from entering Russia due to sanctions imposed by Vladimir Putin in March 2014.

Chrystia Freeland was first elected to the Canadian Parliament in July 2013. In October 2015, she became a member of Parliament for Rosedale, and in October 2019, she was re-elected. From 2015 to 2017, Freeland served as Canada's Minister of International Trade.

Freeland was born in the Canadian city of Peace River in the province of Alberta. Her mother, Galina Khomyak-Freeland, is of Ukrainian descent.

She was educated at Harvard and Oxford Universities and speaks Russian, Ukrainian, Italian, French, and English. She lives in Toronto with her husband and three children.

Personnel changes in Ukraine

Zelenskyy announced the start of a major reboot that will affect the entire system. The defense sector, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigations, and many other structures will be rebooted.

One of the most high-profile appointments was that of Kyrylo Budanov, former head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, as the new head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

Budanov was replaced by his first deputy and head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, Oleh Ivashchenko.