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Zelenskyy appoints Chrystia Freeland as economic development adviser to Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed former federal cabinet minister and Toronto Member of Parliament Chrystia Freeland as an adviser on Ukraine’s economic development.
In a message shared to X, Zelenskyy said Feeland “is highly skilled in these matters and has extensive experience in attracting investment and implementing economic transformations.”
“Right now, Ukraine needs to strengthen its internal resilience — both 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.”
National Post has contacted Freeland’s office for comment on her appointment.
Today, I appointed Chrystia Freeland @cafreeland as an Advisor on Economic Development. Chrystia is highly skilled in these matters and has extensive experience in attracting investment and implementing economic transformations. Right now, Ukraine needs to strengthen its internal… pic.twitter.com/2WOl27MyVA
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 5, 2026
The former deputy prime minister under former prime minister Justin Trudeau had sought the Liberal leadership last year, but lost to now Prime Minister Mark Carney. He made her minister of transport and internal trade, a post she resigned from in September , at which time she also announced she would not seek re-election in the next mandated election, not required until 2029.
A source close to Freeland told National Post at the time that the outgoing minister was also not planning on finishing her term as the MP for University–Rosedale and would be meeting with the riding association to discuss resignation at her earliest opportunity.
Carney then gave her a parliamentary secretary role as Canada’s special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine, a diplomatic position that does not come with an office or staff.
A spokesperson for the prime minister’s office told National Post her duties will include working with Ukrainian officials on a plan to rebuild its economy, and liaising with Canadian business, academic and labour leaders and the Ukrainian-Canadian community. She will report directly to Carney.
In November, Freeland, 56, was announced as the next Warden of Rhodes House and CEO of the Rhodes Trust by the U.K.-based global educational charity’s trustees. Freeland herself is a Rhodes Scholar, having obtained a master’s degree in Slavonic Studies from the University of Oxford’s St. Antony’s College.
She will reportedly move to Oxford, England, to take on the new position starting this July.
Freeland is of Ukrainian descent on her mother’s side, speaks the native tongue and has long been, even before her time in politics, an advocate for the country and critical of Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin.
According to Politico , Freeland will work on a freelance basis in her advisory role with Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s announcement comes as Carney himself will be in Paris to meet with world leaders on ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
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