Role of private sector essential for Ukraine's reconstruction, says Lithuanian minister

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – The role of the private sector is essential for the reconstruction of Ukraine which is "a land of opportunity," Lithuanian Economy and Innovation Minister Ausrine Armonaite said on Thursday.

The second day of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London began with a short video clip, featuring several speeches at the first day of the conference, including a part of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s address via video link.

Later, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov held brief speeches ahead of the first panel of the day.

During the panel, chaired by Cleverly, Ausrine Armonaite and Croatia's Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman shared their views on the first day of the conference, while talking about ways for Ukraine's recovery.

Touching on Ukraine's fight against Russia, Armonaite said she believed that along with Lithuania, other Baltic countries also feel that "Ukraine's fight is our fight."

Her comments came after Cleverly's talked about Lithuania's struggle against Russia in history.

She said social, transport, and digital infrastructure are the three key areas for the reconstruction.

“Ukraine is a land of opportunity,” noted Armonaite, adding that the private sector is essential for Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction.

For his part, Grlic-Radman said: "Today we are on the same page of history."

He said Croatia was among the first countries that extended a helping hand to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's war in February 2022.

During the first day of the Ukraine Recovery Conference, Ukraine’s allies pledged billions of dollars in aid for the war-torn country's recovery and reconstruction.

According to the World Bank, Ukraine's reconstruction will cost more than $400 billion.