Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for rapid international investment in the reconstruction of his country, which was badly damaged by the Russian war. Anyone investing in the reconstruction of Ukraine is investing in a future EU member state, he said, according to a simultaneous translation at an international reconstruction conference in Berlin.
“One can only think of Europe together with Ukraine.” The country stands up for the security of Europe by intercepting the Russian strike, he emphasized.
Investments in hospitals, schools, transport routes and other vital infrastructure are particularly urgent, explained Zelenskyj. More than a third of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure was destroyed by rocket attacks.
Zelenskyj: Money to pay teachers, doctors and pensions
This part of the reconstruction cannot be postponed until after the war, Ukraine needs money for that now. The recovery fund being considered by the group of seven leading democracies (G7) must start work as early as next month, Zelenskyj demanded.
The President named a financial requirement of 38 billion dollars to balance the national deficit in the coming year. The money is needed to pay teachers and doctors and to pay out pensions.
The G7 have already pledged further financial aid for 2023. According to the information, budget support of 20.7 billion US dollars has already flowed this year in addition to military and humanitarian support, a total of 33.3 billion dollars have been committed. By far the largest donor is the USA. According to the Ministry of Finance, Germany is the largest donor within the EU with a share of 1.4 billion euros.
