Kyiv Draws $8B South Korean Financing, Sparks Interest from Global Powerhouses

Deputy President Zelensky Stays on the “Investor Trail”

When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stepped into the United States, it wasn’t just a friendly handshake session. He was on a high‑stakes tour of America’s top money‑handlers, making sure the war‑torn Kyiv could get a much‑needed financial lift once the front lines cool off.

Big Names – Big Bags

JP Morgan – the world’s biggest investment bank, which runs the show for a trust fund that’s heavier than a mountain of trillions. They introduced Zelensky to the guy who first made Bloomberg stickers a global craze, Michael Bloomberg.
Bill Ackman – the star of the Pershing Square Capital cloud‑soaked office.
Barry Sternlicht – the heavyweight behind Starwood Capital.
Ken Griffin – CEO of the lightning‑fast Citadel LLC.
Jonathan Gray – the brains of Blackstone, a firm that knows how to turn assets into a gold‑mine.
Philipp Hildebrand – the deputy chairman at BlackRock who gave the bank a major makeover in the Mid‑East.

“We’re talking big, brown‑eye, buck‑eye deals—money that can rebuild roads, hospitals, and maybe even something as subtle as a chocolate factory,” the President’s press office told reporters. The investors confirmed the willingness to pour cash into Ukraine as soon as the war ends, provided they get a bullet‑proof guarantee of safety.

South Korea’s Strategic Back‑Up

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials are making a beeline for Seoul. Ukraine is on the front list of priorities for Korea’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) program.

First wave: up to $300 million from the Economic Development Co‑operation Fund (EDCF) is slated to land in the third or fourth month of 2023, depending on how quickly the second‑stage agreement gets signed.
Second wave: In 2024, Ukraine could see a next tranche of $3 billion. If the project pipeline keeps filling, that figure could so grow to a cool $8 billion.
European‑style twist: The country will also tap into Korean expertise for rebuild projects—think industrial parks, smart‑city tech, and other “critical infrastructure” goods.

State Minister Yulia Svyrydenko fired up the story saying, “We’re counting on Korean businesses to help rebuild after the war. The recent signing will trigger a valley of investment from South Korea, enabling new “tech‑plate” production in sectors that matter strategically.”