Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on participants in the Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine in Rome to support the creation of a Coalition for Reconstruction and to help develop specific financial mechanisms necessary for its activities.
The Ukrainian head of state said this at the opening of the conference, an Ukrinform correspondent reported, quoted by BTA.
„We need a clear recovery plan. Remember the role of the „Marshall“ plan in the reconstruction of Europe - it ensured peace and growth for decades to come. Now we have a chance to launch a new mechanism for progress. A Marshall Plan-like approach is needed, and we need to work it out together, Zelensky noted in his opening remarks.
“We need to clearly agree that frozen Russian assets should be used for the benefit of Ukraine,“ the Ukrainian president said, noting that not only the interest, but also the assets themselves should be used to rebuild Ukraine.
He said that “only true partners” will be invited to join the joint project to rebuild Ukraine.
“Only our friends are invited to take part in rebuilding Ukraine's economy and technological base“, Zelensky said.
“Ukraine needs investment [...] Everything we are building now to protect Ukraine will help protect you too,” he told international leaders and business representatives gathered at the two-day conference in the Italian capital, DPA reported.
Zelensky also reiterated his demand for continued military support to defend Ukraine from Moscow's invasion.
He said Ukraine was exposed to Russian attacks with hundreds of drones every night, with nearly 400 drones launched at his country last night alone.
“We must stop the Russian drones and missiles“, Zelensky noted.
During the conference, Kiev's allies intend to create a European fund for the reconstruction of Ukraine, DPA notes.
In parallel, a videoconference meeting of the so-called “coalition of the willing“, led by France and Britain, is scheduled for this afternoon, whose leaders will participate in the event online.