U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited Kyiv on Nov. 8 for a surprise meeting with top Ukrainian government figures. The 41-year-old Buttigieg met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other senior officials to discuss Ukraine’s economic recovery and the impact of the ongoing war on its supply chains.
During his visit, Buttigieg announced the appointment of Robert Mariner as a senior-level adviser in Kyiv. Mariner, who has significant experience working with the U.S. Air Force and Navy, and has previously served at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, will provide Ukraine with technical assistance and share best practices on infrastructure project delivery. The U.S. Transportation Department stated that this appointment is part of a broader effort to support Ukraine’s economic recovery and return it to economic self-sufficiency.
The visit comes amid the Biden administration’s “steadfast commitment to Ukraine” and a recent announcement that the U.S. would provide $425 million in additional military aid to meet Ukraine’s battlefield needs. Buttigieg’s discussions in Kyiv covered the conflict’s impact on global supply chains, focusing on ports and rail infrastructure. He highlighted Mariner’s forthcoming role as a crucial component of U.S. support for Ukraine’s rebuilding efforts.
Mr. Buttigieg’s visit to Ukraine was followed by a political development in the U.S., with the House of Representatives approving a measure aimed at slashing his taxpayer-funded salary to $1 per year. This move was in response to concerns among GOP lawmakers about Buttigieg’s travel, including taxpayer-funded trips on private planes to swing states. Buttigieg currently facing a lawsuit over these trips from a conservative watchdog group. In response, a spokesperson for the U.S. Transportation Department emphasized that the Department’s travel and logistical decisions are to be based on efficient and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.