During his visit to New York City, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with wealthy U.S. business leaders, including Michael Bloomberg, to discuss investment opportunities for rebuilding Ukraine. Zelenskyy revealed on the Telegram messaging app that powerful Wall Street heads expressed their willingness to make significant investments in Ukraine after the war with Russia ends.
Zelenskyy mentioned that he had meetings with Larry Fink and Bill Ackman, as well as the former mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg. All three of these U.S. business leaders are billionaires and are involved in running successful and influential companies. Fink is the founder of BlackRock, one of the world’s largest asset managers, and Ackman is a hedge fund manager who founded and manages Pershing Square Capital Management.
The discussions about investment opportunities occurred during Zelenskyy’s visit to the U.S., where he also addressed the United Nations General Assembly and had a meeting with President Biden at the White House. This visit was significant as support for Ukraine has diminished among some U.S. politicians, particularly Republicans who have suggested reducing financial aid to Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.
In contrast, the U.K.’s newly appointed Defense Secretary, Grant Shapps, assured Ukraine that his country would stand with them regardless of how the U.S. proceeds. Shapps emphasized that Britain’s support for Ukraine is unwavering and called it “watertight.” He also mentioned that President Zelenskyy believes that the U.S. sees it in their interest, as well as the world’s interest, to ensure that Ukraine remains a democratic nation.
While these discussions and meetings were taking place, the battle against Russian forces continued in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces released footage showing the aftermath of their recapture of the village of Andriivka, just south of Bakhmut. The village had been occupied by Russian forces, and the damage was extensive, with only rubble remaining. However, the Ukrainian military’s progress was not without casualties, as Russian forces killed three people and wounded at least nine others in the southern regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has been preparing transit corridors in neighboring Poland to facilitate the shipment of Ukrainian grain to other destinations. Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia had previously banned Ukrainian grain imports, citing concerns over undercutting prices for local farmers. Tensions between Poland and Ukraine rose further when Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced that his country would stop sending weapons to Ukraine as part of the trade dispute. Pope Francis commented on this decision, stating that withholding weapons would turn Ukrainians into “martyrs.”
In conclusion, President Zelenskyy’s meetings with wealthy U.S. business leaders, including Michael Bloomberg, highlight the potential for significant investments in Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction efforts. These engagements occurred during Zelenskyy’s visit to the U.S., where he also addressed the United Nations General Assembly and met with President Biden. While the conflict with Russia continues to cause casualties and destruction in Ukraine, support from countries like the U.K. remains steadfast. The ongoing trade dispute between Poland and Ukraine further complicates the situation, but efforts are being made to ensure the uninterrupted shipment of Ukrainian grain.