Oleksiy Uros (Vice President for Legal Affairs at IT Ukraine Association, Director of Business Development at Asters, member of the Supervisory Board of BIG. U) and Roman Hryhoryshyn (Chairman of the Ukrainian-Korean Business Council) had the honour of meeting with General David H. Petraeus, a distinguished American military officer, strategist and statesman.
What they discussed
The Ukrainian delegation first met David H. Petraeus during the annual EarthX International Conference Congress dedicated to Earth Day in April 2025, where the general was one of the leading speakers. At that time, Petraeus separately noted the role of Ukraine and expressed many warm words to our delegation.
On the sidelines of the conference, we spoke with the general about the importance of international support for our country, not only in the fight against the Russian aggressor, but also in social projects, including support for the military, veterans and their families, as well as the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
The conversation focused on the possibility of launching a joint project – a socially-oriented fintech platform to support people with disabilities. It could become an example of an innovative solution with a high social impact for military and civilians, veterans, people with disabilities, families of the deceased, families and carers, doctors, rehabilitation specialists, social workers and lawyers.
This project aims to provide comprehensive support to people with disabilities in Ukraine and to develop a model of social inclusion that can be scaled up internationally.
About David H. Petraeus
General David H. Petraeus is a former director of the US Central Intelligence Agency and one of the most famous and influential American military leaders of the post-9/11 era. His career combines outstanding military service with deep academic training, for which he is often referred to as a ‘warrior-intellectual.’
Petraeus graduated with honours from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He is the only person in the history of the US Army to have been the top graduate of both the prestigious Ranger School and the Army Command and General Staff College.
He commanded US and NATO forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. His greatest achievement is considered to be the development and implementation of The Surge strategy in 2007-2008, when he commanded multinational forces in Iraq.
He headed the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for military operations in the Middle East, Central Asia and East Africa.
He was director of the Central Intelligence Agency in 2011-2012.
After retiring, David H. Petraeus became a partner at global investment firm KKR and chairman of the KKR Global Institute, which focuses on geopolitical, macroeconomic and strategic analysis. He also continues to be involved in academic activities, including teaching at Yale University.
Petraeus has received numerous military and civilian awards for his service, including four Distinguished Service Medals, a Bronze Star Medal for bravery, and many others. He was also named one of the ‘25 Best Leaders in America’ by U.S. News & World Report and was included in Time magazine’s list of the ‘100 Most Influential People in the World.’
His extensive experience in international politics and security makes General David Howell Petraeus one of the key figures in contemporary global discourse.
David H. Petraeus’ social initiatives in Ukraine
General Petraeus is one of the key figures and ambassadors of the global initiative Mental Help Global, launched in 2024 in partnership with American University Kyiv.
This is a non-profit platform based on artificial intelligence to support the mental health of Ukrainians, especially veterans, children, and families affected by the war. Mental Help Global aims to transform the mental health care system in Ukraine and make quality care accessible to everyone.
David Petraeus’s collaboration with American University Kyiv (AUK) is not limited to supporting and assisting in the development of Mental Help Global, and is quite significant.
He supports the Scholarship Fund for Children of Ukraine’s Fallen Heroes, which was created on the initiative of University President Dan Rice. In addition to supporting the fund, General Petraeus personally paid for the tuition and became a mentor to one of the students whose father died defending Ukraine.
The general considers it his moral duty to care for the children of patriots who gave their lives for Ukraine. In his opinion, the best way to ease the burden of war on the families of the fallen is to provide children with the opportunity to receive a quality education.
Why this collaboration is important
Cooperation between Ukrainian organisations and influential foreign partners, such as General David H. Petraeus, is extremely important for Ukraine for several reasons. It helps to achieve a significant effect that goes far beyond the scope of a single project.
Partnerships with such well-known figures as General David H. Petraeus, who has an impeccable reputation and considerable experience on the international stage, give Ukrainian initiatives additional weight and authority. This builds trust in the organisation itself and in the country as a whole, showing that even in wartime, Ukraine is capable of creating innovative and reliable solutions.
When someone of David Petraeus’ stature supports a Ukrainian project, it automatically attracts the attention of the global media, investors and other influential figures. This allows Ukraine to communicate its needs more effectively and demonstrate its potential, transforming a local initiative into an event of international significance.
Foreign partners bring not only their names but also their unique experience. General Petraeus, as a person with experience in military leadership and post-war reconstruction, can provide valuable expertise for a project aimed at supporting veterans and victims.
Such collaborations are not just cooperation. They are a strategic tool for strengthening Ukraine’s position on the international stage, attracting the necessary expertise and resources, and demonstrating its resilience and capacity for innovation even in the most difficult times.
Therefore, BIG.U strives to implement such initiatives and considers them an important component of Ukraine’s integration into the global community.
