Ursula von der Leyen – Photo © European Union 2022
(WARSAW) – The EU stands ready to help rebuild Ukraine after the war, Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said at a donor’s conference Thursday, proposing the EU start working on an ambitious recovery package.
At the International Donor’s Conference convened jointly by Poland and Sweden, she said the package “should bring the massive investment needed to rebuild, implement reforms and make Ukraine an attractive place for investments”.
The Commission has also announced a new aid package of EUR 200 million to support displaced people in Ukraine.
“Today we came together with a clear purpose: to support the brave people of Ukraine, who fight the aggressor and stand up for their freedom,” Ms von der Leyen said: “We are now in the 10th week of Russia’s brutal invasion. 10 weeks during which the European Union stood firmly by Ukraine. Today, the European Union answered the call, once more, to support Ukraine. On behalf of the European Commission, I pledged 200 million euros for Ukraine.”
Close to 8 million people, two-third of whom are children, have been internally displaced since the beginning of Putin’s war in Ukraine. More than 5.3 million have left Ukraine to seek shelter in the EU and neighbouring countries.
At the conference, EU Council president Michel also outlined EU plans for the Solidarity Trust Fund, which would focus on three key areas: humanitarian support, short-term liquidity needs and reconstruction. Highlighting the role of the Solidarity Trust Fund, he said: “Together, we will rebuild a modern, prosperous, and democratic Ukraine”.
