Remarks by Under Secretary Marisa Lago at Virtual Conference on Supporting Ukrainian Businesswomen

Washington, DC 

October 22, 2024

As Delivered

Thank you so much, Agnes. I want to emphasize that, as important as today’s event is, it is not a one-off. Agnes, as you noted, this is part of a series. But, I think, equally important is the long-term commitment and engagement between our two governments.

Ambassador Bridget [Brink], you so warmly welcomed me to Kyiv this past summer. I have been to, I believe, 37 different U.S. Embassies around the globe in my under three years on the job. What I was struck by in Kyiv was the solidarity, the cohesiveness, the way you brought the whole of U.S. government to our support for Ukraine.

Ambassador Oksana [Markarova], I cannot say enough good things about you: we first met when we were both at finance ministries. And it has been such a delight, but not a surprise, to see how you have taken on the entire, broader remit of representing your proud country — a country, while at war, your efficacy in working with the U.S. government, with the U.S. Congress.

And on a personal level, I have to thank you. I, last week, got to see the National Ballet of Ukraine for the second time in my life — the first time in Kyiv 30 years ago, and then when you brought them to Washington for their first performance since the fall of the Soviet Union. The fact that, at a time of war, you still lift up and celebrate the proud culture of Ukraine is part of this optimism — is part of ultimately winning the peace.

Now, not surprisingly, given that Ambassador Oksana and I come from finance ministries, and that I am now at a commerce ministry, we are very, very focused on the economics, on the role of business, of the private sector.

As I mentioned, I had the opportunity of being in Kyiv this past summer, where I met with an amazing array of Ukrainian businesswomen. And what struck me was the swath of different industries that were represented. It went from agriculture to aerospace, to financial services, to pharmaceuticals.

And as Ambassador Oksana noted, yes, there are the ethical imperatives of supporting women and particularly of supporting Ukrainian women at this time. But it just plain makes good business sense. 

And that is why I was so honored when First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia [Svyrydenko] welcomed us in a government building in Kyiv and traveled to meet my amazing boss, Secretary Gina Raimondo — just continuing these long-term relationships that are going to be so essential to recognizing not just the near-term and the short-term needs of Ukraine, but focusing on long-term economic recovery, resilience and growth.

Thank you.