Kiev’s western allies pledged on Wednesday to increase financial aid to Ukraine’s economy, ravaged by more than a year of war, but warned Russia that it would ultimately have to pay for reconstruction.
While Ukraine recognizes that its counter-offensive, which is coming up against strong resistance from the Russian army, is not going as fast as hoped, the reconstruction conference brings together more than 60 countries for two days in London, international institutions and the private sector.
Speaking by videoconference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for “concrete projects”: “Each day of Russian aggression brings new ruins, thousands and thousands of houses destroyed, industries devastated, lives burned”.
The recovery of the Ukrainian economy was valued at $411 billion in a recent study by the World Bank, the UN, the European Union and the Ukrainian government.
A sum set to grow as the conflict continues, with in particular the destruction in early June of the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam, in an area controlled by Russia, which caused major flooding.
Kiev estimates the environmental damage at 1.5 billion dollars, not counting “losses concerning agriculture, infrastructure, housing or the cost of rebuilding the plant itself”, said Prime Minister Denys Chmygal.
“Let’s be clear: Russia caused the destruction of Ukraine. And Russia will ultimately bear the cost of rebuilding Ukraine,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“The aggressor must be held responsible,” also said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as EU member states agreed on an eleventh package of sanctions against Russia on Wednesday.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was working with his allies on the possible use of frozen Russian assets.
While waiting to materialize this legally delicate idea, kyiv’s allies have increased their financial aid to meet the immense needs.
Washington has notably released an additional 1.3 billion dollars. London has promised three billion dollars over three years in guarantees to finance Ukrainian public services and 240 million pounds (280 million euros) in bilateral aid, intended in particular for mine clearance and humanitarian projects.
Paris has released 40 million euros for emergency reconstruction and medical equipment in particular.
On Tuesday, the European Commission had proposed an aid package of 50 billion euros until 2027.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced at the conference 600 million euros in loans and grants, in partnership with international donors, for energy projects in the country.
The objective of the conference is also to mobilize the private sector. A system to guarantee private investment in Ukraine is being discussed by the G7 powers and will be implemented by Paris for French companies.
“We have come together to send a very clear message: we have confidence in the future of Ukraine,” said British Foreign Minister James Cleverly.
Ukraine, for its part, is seeking to convince its allies of its determination to continue, despite the conflict, the reforms undertaken in recent years and in particular to fight against long-endemic corruption.
On the ground, the kyiv army is trying to regain the territories taken by the Russians since the start of the invasion of the country in February 2022.
In a BBC interview, Volodymyr Zelensky admitted that the progress of this offensive was “slower than desired”. “Some people think it’s a Hollywood movie and expect results now. It’s not.”
Mr Zelensky, who is Jewish, also reacted emotionally to comments by Vladimir Putin, who claimed that Ukraine was in the hands of “neo-Nazis” persecuting Russian speakers, and personally called it in mid-June “a shame for the Jewish people”.
“It’s as if he didn’t really understand what he was saying,” commented the Ukrainian president. “Sorry but it’s like he’s the second king of anti-Semitism after Hitler,” he added. “It’s a president who speaks… in a civilized world, you can’t talk like that.”
21/06/2023 21:03:03 – London (AFP) – © 2023 AFP