The former US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo has joined the board of directors of Veon’s wholly owned Ukrainian subsidiary Kyivstar as an independent non-executive director.
He has joined in his capacity as a partner of impact investments, a newly established US-based strategic and financial advisory and investment firm which seeks to develop long-term partnerships with the world’s leading companies across a range of industries and geographies.
In addition, Veon Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu has been appointed as chair of the Kyivstar board of directors.
According to Veon, these changes to Kyivstar’s board of directors reflect Veon’s commitment to Ukraine and to the recovery and reconstruction of the country. As previously announced, Veon has committed $600 million in investments in Ukraine over the next three years alongside the launch of its “Invest in Ukraine NOW!” initiative, inviting other international companies to commit to Ukraine’s rebuilding. With a commitment to providing services in Ukraine, Veon has exited Russia, announcing the completion of the sale of its Russian subsidiary on October 9 this year.
According to Terzioglu, “Veon has made the clear choice to serve Ukraine through its wholly owned subsidiary Kyivstar, whose heroes have kept Ukraine and Ukrainians connected through the darkest days of war and who continue to serve Ukraine by maintaining 94% mobile network availability.
“I am delighted to welcome Secretary Pompeo to the board of this outstanding company, that he joins with strong support from our various US stakeholders. We look forward to the knowledge and experience that Secretary Pompeo will contribute to Kyivstar as an active and independent member of the Kyivstar board.”
Pompeo added: “I proudly join Veon and Kyivstar in their extraordinary service to the people of Ukraine by providing essential connectivity and digital services in health, education, business growth and entertainment. I also applaud Kyivstar’s parent company Veon for its leadership in investing in Ukraine with their own long-term commitment and their ‘Invest in Ukraine NOW!’ initiative.
“It is through private enterprise and investments that Ukraine will secure its economic future and success, and I look forward to contributing to this laudable effort”.
