The European Union has signed agreements worth €2.3 billion to help Ukraine, which will attract up to €10 billion in investments, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome. She announced the launch of the Global Fund for the Reconstruction and Renovation of Ukraine.
Investments will be made in energy and critical technologies. The private sector, in particular, will participate in the financing.
"We want to build synergy between the private and public sectors. It is very important for me to say now: we are working together with Italy, Germany, Poland, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Thank you. I know for sure that other members will also join us, because now is the time to invest in Ukraine," she said.
Von der Leyen said that Ukraine, despite everything, is implementing reforms to become a member of the EU. And the EU notes that Ukraine is ready to open the first cluster for accession.
The announced fund is a pilot project, said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He supported the mobilisation of private resources for Ukraine's recovery. He added that work is continuing on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia, but one member, Slovakia, is opposed. He called on the country and its prime minister to vote in favour of adoption.