Press Release
☷Special Representative Pritzker s Remarks on Ukraine s Economic Recovery United States Department of State
U.S. Department of State ( By Press Release office)
Feb 16,2024
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All of us here are dedicated to helping Ukraine become a democratic , independent , and prosperous country , aligned with the EU , NATO , and global markets . We understand that Ukraine ' s future is crucial not only for its own security and prosperity but also for global stability and the future of democracy . I ' m wearing a gift from a dear friend , a replica of Madeline Albright ' s Ukraine pin , which symbolizes her famous "broach diplomacy . " It reminds me that for over a decade , it has been clear that Ukraine ' s success in standing up to Putin is not just about our global order , but about the way of life we cherish . Thanks for giving me the chance to speak today in my hometown of Chicago at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs , alongside Razom for and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America! And I also want to thank Ivo for the kind introduction and Marta for sharing her moving story . Ivo and his team have done a lot to promote Chicago as a global hub , and Marta has shown great leadership at the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America in Illinois , supporting the Ukrainian American community in various ways . It ' s important work! For the past two years , Putin ' s forces have been brutalizing and killing civilians , while deliberately attacking Ukraine ' s economy and energy infrastructure , especially during the harsh winter months . They have destroyed Ukraine ' s grain fields , bombed its ports , and prevented crucial crop exports that could have fed the world . We gather here today on the eve of a somber milestone - the two - year anniversary of Vladimir Putin ' s invasion of Ukraine . Many people , including some in Washington , believed at the time that Putin would quickly take over Ukraine and turn it into a puppet state . But not everyone shared that view . Just before that dark day , Madeline Albright , our strong former Secretary of State and a true supporter of Ukraine , wrote in the New York Times that Putin would be making a huge mistake if he invaded Ukraine . She predicted that the Ukrainians would fight back and that the democratic world would stand with them . She was right . Sadly , that was her last op - ed as she passed away a month later . The aggressor has been attacking schools , kidnapping tens of thousands of Ukrainian children , and trying to brainwash them with Kremlin propaganda . Despite Putin ' s ongoing attacks on civilians in Ukraine , he ' s betting against Ukraine , Europe , and the United States . However , after two years , Ukrainian forces have managed to reclaim over half of the territory seized by Russia . More than 315 , 000 Russian soldiers have been killed or injured in Putin ' s war , and Russia ' s military equipment has been significantly depleted . Ukraine ' s economy is also showing signs of improvement , with GDP growth up 5% and investment up 17% . This success is largely due to the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people , supported by the United States and its allies . Companies like Coca - Cola have managed to bounce back after being targeted by Russian forces , with their bottling plant in Velyka Dymerka back up and running . American businesses in Ukraine are also recovering , with McDonald ' s even expanding during the conflict . Ukraine needs continued support from the US , both militarily and economically , to successfully defend against Putin ' s aggression . Companies like ADM and Cargill are showing support for Ukrainian farmers; Palantir is using AI to speed up demining efforts; Citi is reinvesting profits back into Ukraine; Bank of America is focusing on enhancing technical capabilities in capital markets and debt management; and the list goes on . These American companies are not just doing this for profit , but because they believe it is the right thing to do . Ukraine ' s stability is crucial for Europe and our democratic order . Despite the challenges they face , 77% of Ukrainians remain optimistic about their future . The Ukrainian people ' s unity and determination in the face of Putin ' s aggression is inspiring . During my recent visit to Kyiv , I was impressed by the resilience and forward - thinking mindset of the young people I met at the Kyiv School of Economics . They are actively planning for a democratic , independent , and sustainable future for Ukraine , integrated into the EU , NATO , and the global democratic community . The United States and its allies are working with Ukraine to address key issues and attract private sector investment , with a focus on security and combating corruption . American defense companies are playing a crucial role in supporting Ukraine ' s defense capabilities , while also benefiting the US defense industry . Ukraine is making progress in fighting corruption with our support , paving the way for a brighter future . The European Union deciding to start formal negotiations for Ukraine to join the EU is a clear sign of Ukraine ' s hard work , especially with the recent "Big Bang" of key reforms in December . Kyiv needs to keep up this momentum . Ukraine ' s success and its place in the West depend not only on how it wins the war , but also on how it achieves peace . The people of Ukraine want a clean and Western - oriented economy , and its soldiers are fighting and sacrificing for it . To fully integrate into the West , Ukraine must leave behind the era of post - Soviet corruption . We are also helping Ukraine develop key infrastructure and risk management tools to expand market access and increase exports . With our assistance , Ukraine is making progress . Steel factories in Dnipro , Zaporezhia , and Kryvyy Rih have almost doubled production in the past four months . The Black Sea corridor is back in action , with hundreds of cargo ships bringing over 8 . 7 million tons of Ukrainian grain to global markets in January alone , approaching pre - war export levels . We are also working on providing new forms of risk insurance for Black Sea grain shipping . Additionally , for Ukraine ' s economic success and social cohesion , it must successfully reintegrate its refugees and veterans . These communities are crucial for Ukraine to break away from its Soviet legacy of corruption and embrace an economic future aligned with the democratic West , the EU , and global markets . Russia should also be held accountable for the damage it has caused to Ukraine , including exploring opportunities to use $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets for the benefit of Ukrainians . It is crucial to address these foundational elements to attract private sector investment in Ukraine . However , we must also focus on raising awareness about the opportunities in Ukraine ' s vital economic sectors , such as agriculture , critical minerals , mining and steel , energy , transportation and logistics , defense production , and technology . Let ' s take a closer look at Ukraine ' s tech sector , which has grown by 7% since 2022 . The country ' s 5 , 000 tech companies have been successful in retaining 95% of their national and global contracts , contributing to 12% of Ukraine ' s exports . These tech companies employ nearly 300 , 000 developers , ranging from start - ups to well - known companies like Grammarly or Gitlab . Ukraine ' s tech innovation is also evident in its government with the Diia app , which connects almost 20 million Ukrainians to over 100 government services at the national level . Ukraine ' s cyber warriors , hacktivists , and citizen programmers are using their patriotism to drive digital innovation . It ' s a running joke that every Ukrainian has a drone factory in their garage . These individual efforts are helping to nurture the next generation of tech innovators in UAV technology , robotics , sensors , and the Internet of Things ( IoT ) , all in response to Putin ' s air attacks . The tech sector will play a crucial role in Ukraine ' s economic recovery , and Ukrainian technologists have the opportunity to become Europe ' s digital pioneers . It ' s incredibly impressive and inspiring! To make these dreams a reality , support from the US in terms of military and economic assistance is essential . This is personal for me , for you , and for over one million Ukrainian - Americans across the US . Whether we come from Ukrainian communities in Chicago , New York , Cleveland , or New Jersey , we ' ve heard stories from our parents and grandparents about political oppression , pogroms , the Holodomor , the Holocaust , and Soviet tyranny . My own great - grandfather , Nicholas Pritzker , fled Kyiv 140 years ago to escape Jewish persecution . He came to the US , built a successful career , and raised a family in Chicago . Over seven years ago , while serving as Commerce Secretary , I visited Kyiv for a Babyn Yar Massacre commemoration . It was a chilling experience to see the ravine that became a mass grave for over 33 , 000 Jewish people murdered by the Nazis . It made me realize that if my family hadn ' t fled when they did , they could have met the same fate . We all know that standing up for Ukraine isn ' t just about Ukraine . Putin ' s war is an attempt to rebuild a corrupt and dictatorial empire that aims to undermine NATO , disrupt peace in Europe , and challenge the international order . Putin has made it clear that Russia ' s borders have no limits . We must take him seriously . If we don ' t stop him in Ukraine , we ' re inviting more violence and chaos across Europe . Let ' s also remember that Putin isn ' t acting alone . He has authoritarian allies like Iran and North Korea who supply him with drones , ammunition , and rockets . China is also closely observing how the US and our allies respond to this situation . As the Ukrainians sacrifice and die on the frontlines to protect our way of life , we have a responsibility to fulfill at home . Now is the time for Congress to take action and help Ukraine in their time of need . The Ukrainian government is running out of essential supplies and lives are at stake . They require support from the United States , particularly in terms of military aid . The Senate has already passed legislation to provide assistance , but now it ' s up to Congress to follow through . It ' s crucial that our voices are heard and that bipartisan support is shown for funding Ukraine , Israel , and Indo - Pacific security . Let ' s not forget the sacrifices made by brave individuals like Myhailo Yavorskyi , who left his family in Chicago to fight for Ukraine and ultimately gave his life for the cause . Ukraine remains determined to pursue their democratic and European future , despite the ongoing threat from Russia . It ' s time for Congress to act and support these efforts before it ' s too late . His mom mentioned that he should always be remembered for his service and sacrifice to both countries . We ' re so glad to have his family here with us today . This is what it ' s all about - service and sacrifice . So , let ' s make sure we honor all those who have supported Ukraine until they achieve freedom , sovereignty , and human dignity . Thanks .
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