Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country has united European Union like never before. Addressing the Ukraine recovery conference in London virtually, Zelenskyy urged Western countries to extend support for the reconstruction of the war-torn nation.
Addressing the summit, The Guardian quoted Zelenskyy as saying, “When we are talking about recovery we are talking about millions of jobs, billions in corporate profits and GDP. And not only for Ukraine but for all our countries mine and yours. Countries that want, and will, live freely.”
Zelenskyy accused Russia of committing “the largest crime of ecocide in Europe”, referring to the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam. Zelenskyy said, “Ukraine has succeeded in making the EU as united as it has never been before. This is truly a unity of values, which is reflected in many political, economic, sanction and humanitarian decisions.”
Ukraine is developing strong alliances with nations like the UK, the US, Canada, Japan, Australia and all the EU members, Zelenskyy said. He added that Ukraine can be a key supplier of green hydrogen and clean electricity and the sector alone has potential of about $400 billion.
Zelenskyy made a case for full membership of the military alliance North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) saying that Ukraine is already a key part of European defence.
"By building Ukraine, we are building much more than one country: we are building the world, and it will [last] during the lifetime of our generation and after ours. Will it be peaceful? Will it be stable? Will it be democratic? It depends on each and every one of us," said Zelenskyy.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak opened the Summit here and said Russia must pay for the destruction inflicted on its European neighbour as he announced UK government loan guarantees worth $3 billion.
Sunak praised Ukraine's "ingenuity and defiance" and attacked Russia for trying to destroy the country's energy grid, which he said is back online and even exporting energy.
The two-day summit is being jointly hosted with Ukraine in London as part of efforts to mobilise international support in favour of the country in its ongoing conflict with Russia. “It's clear that Russia must pay for the destruction that they've inflicted. So, we're working with allies to explore lawful routes to use Russian assets,” said Sunak in his opening address.
“The British government will continue to play its full part and I'm proud that today we're announcing a multi-year commitment to support Ukraine's economy. Over three years, we will provide loan guarantees worth $3 billion,” he said.
World Bank Group President Ajay Banga welcomed the UK government's generous guarantees to support the people of Ukraine at a critical moment. “The UK's support is backed by a major signal of intent from world-leading businesses, with more than 400 companies, from 38 countries, with a combined annual revenue of over $1.6 trillion, pledging to back Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction in the wake of Russia's illegal invasion,” said the Indian-origin World Bank chief.
“The World Bank Group is designed to do hard things like helping people rebuild their lives after the devastation. With this support, we will keep delivering on that mission and help Ukrainians imagine a life after the war,” he said.
Sunak also announced the launch of a new UK-Ukraine TechBridge to foster investment and talent along with support for green energy as part of a collective effort with global allies and revealed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is putting $15 billion into Ukraine over four years, as part of a $115 billion commitment by the G7.
“This is a vibrant, dynamic, creative, European country that refuses to be subdued. So, together with our allies, we will maintain our support for Ukraine's defence and for the counter-offensive. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes as they continue to win this war,” added Sunak.
(With PTI inputs.)
