Rebuilding Ukraine will cost at least 750 billion dollars and it will be "the common task of the whole democratic world", estimated on Monday the President and the Prime Minister of the country, where the Russian army has been waging a destructive war for more than 4 months.
Volodymyr Zelensky, by videoconference and Denys Chmygal in person, spoke at the opening of the conference in Lugano (Switzerland), which must draw the outlines of the future reconstruction of the country invaded on February 24 on the orders of Vladimir Putin.
"The reconstruction of Ukraine is the common task of the whole democratic world" and "the most important contribution to peace in the world", launched Volodymyr Zelensky, in a black t-shirt, in front of the leaders of the allied countries of Kyiv or many international institutions as well as representatives of the private sector.
"Finance in part on frozen Russian assets"
“Who should pay for the reconstruction plan, which is already estimated at 750 billion dollars?
wondered Denys Chmygal, before providing the answer himself: a “key source” of financing should be the seizure of assets of Russia and Russian oligarchs frozen under international sanctions against Moscow, for try to stop the fighting.
Estimates of the amount of frozen assets range from 300 to 500 billion dollars according to the Prime Minister who also outlined his government's reconstruction plan in three stages.
For Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Chmygal, a "key source" of funding should be the seizure of assets of Russia and frozen Russian oligarchs.
AFP/Fabrice COFFRINI.
AFP or licensors
The urgency is to help the population affected by the war before, in a second phase, to finance thousands of reconstruction projects and in the long term, we must prepare a European, green and digital Ukraine, explained the Prime Minister.
Pursue reforms against endemic corruption
The president of the Swiss confederation Ignazio Cassis considered that reconstruction and reforms were "not in competition".
"They are getting stronger," added the Swiss leader, who called for continuing, despite the war, efforts against corruption and to guarantee the functioning of justice.
The conference had been planned long before the war and was initially intended to focus on reforms in Ukraine and in particular the fight against endemic corruption.
Opening of the #URC2022 with 🇺🇦 President @ZelenskyyUa: A successful recovery requires resources - but also principles, methods & a good framework 👉 Reforms and recovery must go hand in hand.
This is what we will discuss here in #Lugano 🇨🇭 https://t.co/mxnBzTK6kh pic.twitter.com/nmfP1JRffo
— Ignazio Cassis (@ignaziocassis) July 4, 2022
The Lugano meeting must lead to "an effective political process", added the Swiss president.
This system must go through principles of governance and criteria to guarantee assistance to Ukraine and the distribution of roles between this country, other States, international institutions, the private sector and civil society.
In its 2021 report, the NGO Transparency International ranks this country 122nd out of 180. This is better than in 2014 (142nd), and better than Russia (136th), but still very far behind its EU neighbors (the worst placed, Bulgaria, is in 78th place).
If we must above all talk about reconstruction in Lugano, the subject of corruption was highlighted by the speakers from the start because of the sums at stake and the risks of embezzlement.
Ursula von der Leyen:
“Slava Ukraini!
»
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen launched a vigorous “Slava Ukraïni” (Glory to Ukraine!) at the end of a speech in which she insisted on the reconstruction of a better Ukraine.
If the EU helps Ukraine win the war "we also have to make sure that Ukraine wins the peace that will undoubtedly come", she stressed.
The European Commission wants to set up a platform for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
The needs of the country and the necessary investments must be brought together, the procedure must be coordinated and the resources must be channeled, pleaded Ursula von der Leyen.
“The platform will shape strategic directions and priorities.
The objective: a reconstruction that stands the test of time, rooted in good governance.
Because our action will be guided by the aspirations and desires of the Ukrainian people,” she said.
The platform will shape the strategic orientations and priorities.
The focus: future-proof reconstruction, embedded in good governance.
Because our action will be driven by the aspirations and desires of the Ukrainian people.
pic.twitter.com/yjR9CxB6e4
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 4, 2022
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, whose country has just taken over the EU Presidency, and his counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki from Poland, the country hosting by far the most Ukrainian refugees, were also present to draw up the draft of a kind of "Marshall Plan", named after the American economic program which had made it possible to raise Western Europe from the ruins of the Second World War.
Lugano is not intended to be a conference of donors - where everyone announces the amount of their "cheque" - but must rather define the principles and priorities of a reconstruction process.
The Conference is due to end on Tuesday with the adoption of the Lugano principles intended to guide a colossal effort that could last several decades, according to a Swiss diplomat.