US transportation chief visits Ukraine, names new infrastructure advisor

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg listens as U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on infrastructure during an event at the Amtrak maintenance facility in Bear, Delaware, U.S., November 6, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights

Nov 8 (Reuters) – U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Wednesday announced a new American infrastructure adviser for Ukraine during a trip to Kyiv, becoming the latest senior Biden administration official to visit the country since Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Robert Mariner, who has performed engineering work for the U.S. Air Force and Navy, will serve as transportation advisor to Ukraine after previously serving as an advisor to the transportation counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan.

Buttigieg, who met with Ukrainian officials to discuss the country’s economic recovery and the impact of the war on its supply chains, particularly port and rail infrastructure, said Ukraine had asked that a U.S. infrastructure advisor be named.

« This advisor will be in Kyiv to provide technical assistance on project delivery as part of the country’s rebuilding efforts. It’s one of countless ways the U.S. continues to stand with the people of Ukraine for the long haul and ensure its connection to the world, » Buttigieg said on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has coordinated similar advisory roles at U.S. embassies in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has heavily damaged Ukraine’s infrastructure. Ukraine’s energy ministry said on Wednesday that Russia had attacked Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with different weapons 60 times in recent weeks. Russia has also heavily targeted the country’s port infrastructure.

Ukraine said last month that the United States would provide nearly $700 million to help modernize checkpoints, ports and railways as part of an effort to improve the country’s logistics and increase its export capacity. Penny Pritzker, the new U.S Special Representative for Ukraine’s economic recovery, visited the country for the first time in October.

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