Ukraine Recovery Conference kicks off in London

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – The Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 (URC 2023) on Wednesday kicked off in London, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to London to help mobilize financial and political support for the country’s post-war recovery.

Six years after the first edition of the annual event, known as the Ukraine Reform Conference, leaders and officials backed to London as the Russia-Ukraine war entered its 17th month.

Along with more than 60 countries, representatives of international financial institutions, the private sector and civil society are also participating in the two-day event.

The conference's goal is to rally international support for post-war reconstruction in Ukraine.

During the opening session, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reiterated Britain's support for Kyiv, saying his country works with allies "to explore lawful routes to use Russian assets" in rebuilding Ukraine.

He also confirmed that the UK will provide Ukraine with a multi-year $3 billion package of financial support to help stabilize its economy as it continues to push back Russian forces.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed via video conference, saying that recovery is a global task.

"We protect Ukraine, and thus we protect freedom," the president said, adding "When we build Ukraine, we will build freedom for the country, region, continent, (and) world."

According to the World Bank, Ukraine will need more than $400 billion to rebuild.