More than 60 countries are meeting in Berlin to discuss the reconstruction of Ukraine. But it is also about more military protection so that less reconstruction is needed in the end. The news at a glance.
At the start of an international reconstruction conference for Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) jointly advocated further strengthening air defense to protect against Russian attacks. Scholz called on the allies in Berlin to support a corresponding German initiative “with everything possible.” “Because: The best reconstruction is the one that doesn’t have to take place at all.”
Zelensky reiterated that at least seven more Patriot systems are needed to protect Ukrainian cities and metropolitan areas. “Air defense is the answer to everything,” he said, according to the official translation, referring to Russian attacks with glide bombs, cruise missiles and drones. As long as Russian President Vladimir Putin is not deprived of this opportunity to terrorize Ukraine, “Putin will have no real interest in striving for a fair peace,” Zelensky stressed.
Germany has already delivered two Patriot systems, and another has been promised, which is currently being used to train Ukrainian soldiers. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced at the conference that Italy was ready to send a new military package with air defense to Ukraine.
2000 participants from 60 countries
Zelenskyj is in Berlin for the third time since the beginning of the Russian invasion more than two years ago. In the afternoon he wanted to speak to the Bundestag in person for the first time.
At the reconstruction conference, 2,000 representatives from around 60 countries are discussing aid for the country, which has been badly affected by the war. It is not a donor conference to raise money for reconstruction, but rather to network the relevant actors from politics, business, civil society and international organizations. The aim is to launch initiatives to promote businesses or train skilled workers, for example.
500 billion US dollars needed over the next 10 years
Scholz promised Ukraine far-reaching and long-term state commitments for reconstruction. He will work towards this at the G7 summit of the leading Western economic powers in Italy, which begins on Thursday.
The Chancellor pointed out that the World Bank expects a need for reconstruction aid of 500 billion US dollars (464 billion euros) over the next ten years. He also called on private companies to participate with investments. “Given the dimensions we are talking about here, private capital must be added.”
Hundreds of German companies are still active in Ukraine, with 35,000 employees in the automotive sector alone, the Chancellor stressed. Despite the war, there has been no outflow of German investment, and the volume of trade has increased significantly compared to the pre-war period. “All of this shows me that the economy understands the potential that Ukraine has.”
Selenskyj: “Energy is a weapon for Russia”
Zelensky called for more support in rebuilding the energy infrastructure, which is “one of the most important targets” for Putin. “Energy is a weapon for Russia,” he said. Nine gigawatts of Ukraine’s capacity had already been destroyed in the attacks – last winter, peak energy consumption was 18 gigawatts. “That means we no longer have half of that.” 80 percent of heat generation and a third of hydroelectric power were destroyed by Putin, who is also targeting gas storage facilities. Reconstruction would benefit everyone and would guarantee that Russia would not be able to cause a blackout everywhere, said Zelensky, who also warned: “Without your investments and without loans, we will probably not succeed.”
Ukraine can hope for a huge aid package
Ukraine can hope for a new, huge support package from the group of leading democratic industrial nations (G7) in its fight against the Russian invasion. As a senior EU official said, an agreement is to be reached at the G7 summit in Italy to finance a loan of 50 billion US dollars (about 47 billion euros) for Ukraine with interest from frozen Russian state assets.
Ukraine could then use the money to strengthen its defense against Russia and pay for the reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure. In addition, possible financial bottlenecks in the Ukrainian state budget should be offset, the EU official explained.
Pistorius promises Ukraine more weapons
Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has promised Ukraine further arms deliveries. This includes the delivery of small arms, including sniper rifles. “We will make this possible quickly,” said Pistorius during a joint visit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj to a military training area in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where Ukrainian soldiers are being trained on the Patriot air defense system. Support is also being provided for anti-tank weapons, components for artillery ammunition, and in the area of drones and drone defense.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
