$65.9B pledged in support to Kyiv during Ukraine Recovery Conference: UK minister

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The international community pledged a total of $65.9 billion to support Kyiv's reconstruction during the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 that concluded on Thursday, the UK foreign secretary has said.

Speaking at the closing plenary of the two-day event in London, James Cleverly said the shared and the primary goal of the talks was securing Ukraine's freedom and long term economic prosperity.

"Through our attendance here today we are building a coalition of reconstruction for Ukraine ... to ensure that all parts of society come together to support Ukraine as it transforms its economy," he added.

"I have no doubt that next year, Germany will continue this essential work," Cleverly said, referring to the conference's next edition in 2024.

"We had not envisaged this to be a pledging conference. Nevertheless, today at this conference, we can total an announcement of a combined €60 billion ($65.9 billion) in support to Ukraine."

He "particularly welcomed" the EU's announcements of €50 billion ($54.9) worth of EU budget support for Ukraine over the next three years. which was supported by $3 billion worth of World Bank guarantees over the same period.