Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland says she will step down as a member of Parliament and accept a position as economic advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, she said in a social media post.
The position will be an unpaid one and will also involve her stepping down as Canada’s special envoy to Ukraine, she said.
“In accepting this voluntary position, I will be stepping aside from my role as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for the Reconstruction of Ukraine,” Freeland said.
Freeland is the MP for the Toronto riding of University-Rosedale.
“In the coming weeks I will also leave my seat in Parliament. I want to thank my constituents for their years of confidence in me. I am so grateful to have been your representative,” she added.
Freeland was appointed Monday as an economic adviser by Zelenskyy. She has been a fiercely vocal supporter for Ukraine amid its war against Russia’s invasion and is of Ukrainian heritage.
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She was banned from entering Russia in 2014 as part of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s response to Western sanctions.
Freeland has said Ukraine could become an economic juggernaut by taking up the opportunities it missed after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Zelenskyy, in a post on social media, said Ukraine needs to strengthen what he called its “internal resilience.”
“Chrystia is highly skilled in these matters and has extensive experience in attracting investment and implementing economic transformations,” he said.
“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.”
She was named by Prime Minister Mark Carney as Canada’s special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
She stepped away from cabinet in September, but still represents the federal riding of University—Rosedale, in the Toronto region.
Her appointment comes as Carney travels to Paris to meet with other allies of Ukraine in a bid to end Russia’s nearly four-year war on the country.
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