UPDATE 2 - Allies pledge billions for Ukraine’s reconstruction at London conference

REVISES HEADLINE, ADDS QUOTES FROM OFFICIALS, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Burak Bir and Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Ukraine’s allies pledged billions of dollars in aid for the war-torn country's recovery and reconstruction at an international conference in London.

The Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 (URC 2023) began on Wednesday, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to help mobilize financial and political support for rebuilding the country’s war-battered infrastructure and battling corruption.

Officials from dozens of countries and representatives of international financial institutions, the private sector and civil society are participating in the two-day event.

During the opening session, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reiterated his country’s support for Kyiv, saying the UK is working with its allies "to explore lawful routes” to use Russian assets in rebuilding Ukraine.

He said 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 the conference via video link, saying the recovery is a global task.

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

For her part, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the European Union’s support for Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir “Putin shattered peace on our continent on 24 February in 2022. But he triggered also Ukraine's journey towards its dream. And it's our job and our duty to the Ukrainians who have paid the ultimate sacrifice that we ensure that this re-imagined future becomes reality. Brick by brick, house by house, school by school. Together, we are by Ukraine's side for the long haul," she said.

She said the European Commission is contributing €18 billion ($19.7 billion) already this year, and together with other donors, they closed the Ukrainian budget gap for 2023.

Von der Leyen also said that on Tuesday, she proposed to EU member states “to cover 45% of this gap – this is in total €50 billion for Ukraine.”

This financial injection will enable Ukraine to continue essential operations such as paying salaries, pensions and healthcare expenses.

Von der Leyen also emphasized the EU's “special responsibility” toward Ukraine.

“The reason is simple: When Ukrainians imagine their future, they see Europe's flag flying over their cities.”

"I have no doubt that Ukraine will be part of our Union," she said.

- US announces additional $1.3B

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Russia is “causing Ukraine's destruction” and "will eventually bear the costs of Ukraine's reconstruction."

“In addition to our economic development and humanitarian assistance, the United States will continue to invest in Ukraine’s long-term efforts to strengthen good governance, transparency, accountability,” he said.

Noting that earlier this month, Ukraine passed reforms to align its energy market regulations with the EU, Blinken said that adopting these and other critical reforms to increase Ukraine's transparency and competitiveness, and to bolster the rule of law will help attract more private investment.

He also said the US will provide $1.3 billion in additional aid to Ukraine.

Slovenia also stepped up efforts for Ukraine's financial needs, with State Secretary Samuel Zbogar announcing an additional €6 million in aid for Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction process.

"Our activities are focused on demining, the rehabilitation of war victims, psychosocial assistance to children and their families and assistance in the health sector," he said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Ukraine "will eventually become a member of the EU."

"I'm convinced that we need to further link Ukraine's recovery and the EU accession process," she said.

Baerbock said her government is stepping up efforts for Ukraine, noting that Germany will provide the country with an additional €381 million in humanitarian support.

- Ukraine and NATO

Speaking on the margins of the conference, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the UK was "very, very supportive" of Ukraine being able to join NATO.

"We have seen Ukraine evolve, and evolve quickly...The reform of their armed forces is happening while engaged in conflict, and I think the UK’s position is that it would be very, very supportive” if it was decided that Kyiv did not need to go through the membership action plan stage of the process to join NATO, “recognizing that the offer to both Sweden and Finland did not require that," he said.

"The Ukrainians have demonstrated their commitment to military reform required for NATO membership through their actions on the battlefield, and I think all NATO allies recognize that," he added.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said that circumstances had changed since 2008, when Ukraine was last offered NATO membership.

"I'm announcing today the establishment of an insurance mechanism to cover investments in Ukraine against war-related risks via the French Public Investment Bank," Colonna said.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed similar sentiments, saying Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction was a step towards its accession to both the EU and NATO.

“We want peace, but peace without justice is not peace. Justice is the freedom of Ukraine," and Ukraine’s freedom “is our freedom,” he added.

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