President Volodymyr Zelensky unveiled a massive transformation plan for Ukraine, consisting of over 80 projects requiring $277 billion in investment, during his U.S. visit.
Speaking at a private event in Virginia, shortly before his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, Zelensky established a 5-10 year roadmap to transform Ukraine into a “security outpost” and a “digital and infrastructure hub.” However, it hasn’t been announced which projects were included in the plan.
The roadmap sets up “ambitious goals for human capital development, green transformation and energy security,” Zelensky said.
It also seeks to strengthen economic cooperation between Ukraine and the U.S. through investment projects, especially in the “green” transformation and energy security.
Two-way trade between Ukraine and the U.S amounted to $3.7 billion in 2019. Ukraine, which relies heavily on foreign assistance, has received $1.2 billion from USAID in humanitarian aid and long-term development projects since 2014.
Zelensky appealed directly to American partners at the event to actively participate in the roadmap he presented.
“They provide funding from the state budget of Ukraine, as well as attracting international aid programs, loans, and investments,” Zelensky said.
This is not Ukraine’s first development plan.
In 2019, then-Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk released a similar action program that established many optimistic targets for Ukraine, many of which have not been attained, partly due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Zelensky pointed out that Ukraine is a country at war and its security is paramount.
“Security remains a key challenge for Ukraine. The full restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is a key goal,” Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian leader’s long-awaited meeting with Biden, which took place in Washington, D.C., didn’t deliver a breakthrough, but the U.S. pledged over $117 million in military and humanitarian aid.
Meanwhile, Biden once again reassured Ukraine of unwavering support and backed Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
