Overview
- Freeland said she will leave Canada’s Parliament in the coming weeks and step aside as the prime minister’s special representative for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
- A presidential decree designates Freeland a non‑staff, freelance adviser focused on investment attraction and economic transformation.
- Conservative MPs in Ottawa called the arrangement a conflict of interest, and a by‑election is now expected in her Toronto riding as Prime Minister Mark Carney signaled the move fits her planned exit.
- Russia announced new sanctions on Canadian citizens shortly after the appointment, describing the measures as retaliation.
- The appointment follows Zelenskyy’s broader office reboot, including Kyrylo Budanov as chief of staff and Sergiy Kyslytsya as deputy head, with an emphasis on strengthening internal resilience.