European Council President Charles Michel on Thursday promised Ukraine a European Union (EU) Solidarity Fund to rebuild the country that will be the “engine for renewal”, classifying it as a “European Marshall Plan”. .
“As we approach Europe Day on May 9 [próxima segunda-feira]a day to remember peace and unity after the horrors of the Second World War, we are also reminded of the Marshall Plan, which helped to revive Europe and recover economies after the devastation of the war”, declared Charles Michel.
Speaking at the International Conference of High Level Donors for Ukraine, in the Polish capital, Warsaw, the official said he believed “firmly” that, in the face of “the devastation of the war on European soil”, the EU Solidarity Fund “can and must be the starting point of a European Marshall Plan for this century”.
“An engine of solidarity for the renewal and reconstruction of Ukraine, for the prosperity of Europe and for the Transatlantic Alliance”, stressed Charles Michel.
The creation of this fund was agreed by EU leaders at the European Council last March, on which the Heads of Government and State stressed that the EU bloc is committed to providing support to the Ukrainian Government for its immediate needs and for the “reconstruction of a democratic Ukraine”, once the Russian offensive has ceased.
EU leaders then agreed to create a Ukraine Solidarity Trust Fund and also called for preparations to begin quickly for such an instrument and for an international fundraising conference to be organized, like the one on Thursday.
“This is a concrete expression of our commitment to Ukraine, together with the help and support of external donors”, underlined Charles Michel.
Addressing the Ukrainian people, the President of the European Council promised: “We will help to rebuild your country and your economy, your homes, schools, hospitals and businesses, the future of a safe and prosperous Ukraine, combining reconstruction with the necessary reforms. This is not just a long-term theoretical vision, reconstruction starts today”.
Estimates from the International Monetary Fund indicate that Ukraine needs significant funding to keep the state running, of around five billion euros a month.
“We have mobilized and disbursed macro-financial assistance together with our friends and partners, but we must not be complacent. We must do much more to provide practical support now and immediately to ensure that nurses, doctors and teachers can be paid on time and that Ukraine can continue to function”, said Charles Michel.
Also this Thursday, the European Commission announced, at the International Conference of Donors to support Ukraine due to the Russian invasion, a new aid package of 200 million euros from the EU for displaced people.
Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine on February 24 that has killed more than 3,000 civilians, according to the UN, which warns that the real number is likely to be much higher.
FOLLOW ALL ABOUT THE WAR IN UKRAINE HERE