Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met some of the biggest names in global finance as he seeks to bolster wavering support for his country’s fight against Russia.
The Ukrainian leader spoke with JPMorgan Chase & Co’s Jamie Dimon, Blackstone Inc’s Steve Schwarzman and Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio on Tuesday morning. His mission: replenish the state coffers and divert attention back to a conflict at Europe’s doors.
Dimon introduced himself to Zelenskyy— “I’m Jamie Dimon from JPMorgan Chase. God bless you.” This the first time Zelenskyy has come to the World Economic Forum since the Russian invasion. He was last in Davos, Switzerland in 2020.
“It is very important to be here, to boost investment in Ukraine and support our economy,” Zelenskyy told a gathering early Tuesday, according to remarks published on his website. He also floated the “special potential” of military production, including cooperation with Western defense companies.
Other leaders in attendance in the meeting included Philipp Hildebrand of BlackRock, Carlyle Group Inc co-founder David Rubenstein and Lakshmi Mittal, the chairman of Arcelormittal, one of the biggest international investors in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy wants backing from investors to help rebuild his country’s battered economy, with more than $100 billion in vital aid for Kyiv currently stalled in Washington and Brussels. He encouraged the financiers in Davos to help with an influx of private capital into Ukraine.
Zelenskyy had a meeting earlier with others including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Bank of America Corp Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan and US Senator Chris Coons of Delaware — a close ally of President Joe Biden.
The meeting with potential investors at the Alpine gathering takes place as global support for Ukraine’s war has softened and Kyiv’s months-long counteroffensive against Russian forces falls short in achieving its objectives.
Ukraine’s financial needs are urgent. The Ukrainian government last month requested an emergency meeting with its main international donors as Kyiv confronts “exceptionally high uncertainty” over its budget.
In Davos, Zelenskyy is also holding talks with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. US officials are leaning on Kyiv to sharpen its war plans against Russia as the Kremlin’s forces dig in along a front line stretching some 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) across eastern and southern Ukraine.
Polish President Andrzej Duda is likely to meet Zelenskyyy in Davos after a dispute over grains weakened their alliance last year. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who has pledged to rally flagging support for Ukraine among allies, is also due to visit Kyiv later this month.
The Ukrainian leader spoke with JPMorgan Chase & Co’s Jamie Dimon, Blackstone Inc’s Steve Schwarzman and Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio on Tuesday morning. His mission: replenish the state coffers and divert attention back to a conflict at Europe’s doors.
Dimon introduced himself to Zelenskyy— “I’m Jamie Dimon from JPMorgan Chase. God bless you.” This the first time Zelenskyy has come to the World Economic Forum since the Russian invasion. He was last in Davos, Switzerland in 2020.
“It is very important to be here, to boost investment in Ukraine and support our economy,” Zelenskyy told a gathering early Tuesday, according to remarks published on his website. He also floated the “special potential” of military production, including cooperation with Western defense companies.
Other leaders in attendance in the meeting included Philipp Hildebrand of BlackRock, Carlyle Group Inc co-founder David Rubenstein and Lakshmi Mittal, the chairman of Arcelormittal, one of the biggest international investors in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy wants backing from investors to help rebuild his country’s battered economy, with more than $100 billion in vital aid for Kyiv currently stalled in Washington and Brussels. He encouraged the financiers in Davos to help with an influx of private capital into Ukraine.
Zelenskyy had a meeting earlier with others including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Bank of America Corp Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan and US Senator Chris Coons of Delaware — a close ally of President Joe Biden.
The meeting with potential investors at the Alpine gathering takes place as global support for Ukraine’s war has softened and Kyiv’s months-long counteroffensive against Russian forces falls short in achieving its objectives.
Ukraine’s financial needs are urgent. The Ukrainian government last month requested an emergency meeting with its main international donors as Kyiv confronts “exceptionally high uncertainty” over its budget.
In Davos, Zelenskyy is also holding talks with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. US officials are leaning on Kyiv to sharpen its war plans against Russia as the Kremlin’s forces dig in along a front line stretching some 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) across eastern and southern Ukraine.
Polish President Andrzej Duda is likely to meet Zelenskyyy in Davos after a dispute over grains weakened their alliance last year. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who has pledged to rally flagging support for Ukraine among allies, is also due to visit Kyiv later this month.