Brussels provides first aid of 1,000 million for the most urgent needs, while Kiev points to a total cost of 750,000 million
Rebuilding a Ukraine “better than the one that existed before the war” has become a central objective for the EU. This was revealed on Monday by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a speech she delivered in the Swiss city of Lugano, before a thousand representatives from 40 states gathered over these two days to prepare the foundations for the recovery of the Allied country. prepare. after the Russian invasion. Brussels’ first step is the creation of a platform to detect investment needs, coordinate actions and channel resources.
The entity will bring together countries, institutions, the private sector and civil society. But international organizations such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank will also be part of it. “Through the platform, the Commission can offer its extensive experience in the implementation of programs that combine reform and investment,” von der Leyen emphasized at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, pointing out that the Old Continent “has a special responsibility” and a “strategic interest” in supporting Ukraine against those who “want to undermine its existence”.
The Ukrainian Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal, also present in Lugano, along with the Speaker of the Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, and a delegation of about 100 people, estimated the cost of the reconstruction at USD 750,000 million (about EUR 720,000 million). “We believe that the main source of recovery should be the assets seized by Russia and the oligarchs,” he said of frozen funds reportedly worth between $300 billion and $500 billion. “They have caused this massive destruction and they must be held accountable,” he said.
In any case, Ukraine, immersed in the spiral of war, has urgent needs that do not allow waiting. It is precisely these requirements that the EU intends to provide with a macro-financial assistance of EUR 1,000 million, which will be added to the EUR 1,200 million in emergency loans provided in the first semester. Von der Leyen himself, supported by the heads of state and government of the twenty-seven, already expected in May that the amount could rise to 9,000 million.
Ukrainian President Volodímir Zelensky, who joined the Lugano meeting via videoconference, described his country’s reconstruction as “the greatest contribution to world peace”. During his speech, he saved the speech he delivered to citizens on Saturday when he acknowledged that while “colossal investments of billions” will be needed, there will also be “extraordinary opportunities” for companies that decide to participate in the recovery.
“Ukraine can emerge as a stronger and more modern country, with a stronger judiciary and institutions, with successes in the fight against corruption, but also with a greener, more digital and more robust economy,” he added. of the Community Directorate, while promising to help consolidate Ukraine’s status as a candidate for EU membership.
Von der Leyen’s scenario looks a bit distant with the Moscow troops in full attack. The Russian army continued to bomb eastern Ukraine on Monday, advancing in its plan to capture all of Donbas after the fall of the strategic city of Lisichansk after weeks of fierce fighting. The Kremlin’s attacks are now concentrated on Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, two major cities further west.
Source: La Verdad
I am an experienced and passionate journalist with a strong track record in news website reporting. I specialize in technology coverage, breaking stories on the latest developments and trends from around the world. Working for Today Times Live has given me the opportunity to write thought-provoking pieces that have caught the attention of many readers.
