UA
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DEPresident Volodymyr Zelensky called on Western partners to launch a “financial Ramstein” to support Ukraine by analogy with the US-initiated format to provide weapons to Ukraine.
The Head of State put forward a relevant proposal speaking via video link at the opening of the International Expert Conference on Restoration, Reconstruction and Modernisation of Ukraine held in Berlin.
Zelensky thanked all the countries for the already provided support but noted that it should be more systematic.
“Already now, we may decide on the establishment of a ‘financial Ramstein’ to support our joint stability, by analogy with a security ‘Ramstein’ format. We need a financial coordination platform that will unite and direct all efforts aimed at rebuilding Ukraine after hostilities. Consolidation, clear and timely allocation of resources is needed,” said the President of Ukraine.
He noted that a plan of priority steps for reconstruction – Fast Recovery Plan – which requires USD 17 billion to restore housing, schools, hospitals, and roads, was developed.
“This is what Ukraine needs literally to survive. Not tomorrow, not next year,” explained the Head of State, noting that Kyiv has not yet received a single cent for the implementation of this plan.
Zelensky called on European partners to bring the necessary solutions closer together.
He also added that he expected this conference to bring solutions to help Ukraine cover the colossal budget deficit for 2023.
At the same time, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal noted that holding regular meetings within the “financial Ramstein” format proposed by Zelensky is necessary for the operational coordination of efforts to help Ukraine.
“The Ramstein group has been very effective, so the Ukrainian government wants to invite our financial partners to a kind of coordination platform similar to Ramstein, under the chairmanship of the EU, the USA, and Ukraine. We need regular meetings within this platform… The goal will be to coordinate aid to Ukraine, determine recovery priorities in the short and long term, as well as to find sources of funding,” Shmyhal said.
According to him, the current task of Ukraine and its international partners is to respond quickly to new challenges, as effectively as it can be done by military means.
Bohdan Marusyak
