"Let's rebuild Ukraine!" Ukraine Recovery Conference takes place in Berlin, Zelenskyy calls for a "terror blackout" against Russia. Video

On June 10, the two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024 kicked off in Berlin, Germany. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaking at the conference, called for all possible support for Ukrainian air defense, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for a blackout of Russian terror, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen assured that Russia would be made to pay for its aggression by confiscating assets.

The event was broadcast by the Office of the President of Ukraine. Opening the conference, Scholz called for support for Ukraine's air defense.

He called on the world leaders present to support the initiative to increase Ukraine's air defense capabilities "in every way you can" because "the best reconstruction is the one that does not have to be realized."

"We will rebuild Ukraine," Scholz said.

He also said that Germany will provide Ukraine with a third Patriot air defense system, as well as IRIS-T and Gepard systems, missiles and ammunition in the coming months.

"Over the next weeks and months, we will deliver to Ukraine the third Patriot air defense system, IRIS-T, Gepard, missiles and ammunition. All this will go to Ukraine in the coming months and weeks," the chancellor said.

Scholz also said that he would seek more extensive and long-term assistance to Ukraine at the G7 summit in Italy, which starts on July 13.

According to the World Bank, Ukraine will need about €500 billion in aid over the next ten years, the chancellor added.

He also called on businesses to invest in the recovery of Ukraine, where hundreds of German companies continue to operate. The automotive sector alone employs 35,000 people, Scholz said.

Despite the war, there was no outflow of German investments, and the volume of trade has increased significantly compared to the pre-war period, the German Chancellor emphasized.

"All this shows that business is aware of Ukraine's potential," Scholz summarized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy was greeted with a standing ovation by the conference participants. During his speech, he recalled the achievements of the Armed Forces during the full-scale war and said that Ukraine had won the battle for the Black Sea, but not all the needs of the Ukrainian army were met.

In particular, Zelenskyy once again emphasized the need to strengthen Ukraine's air defense.

According to him, Ukraine needs at least seven Patriot systems "to close the main urban agglomerations in the near future."

"This will be a driver for maintaining normal life in Ukraine," the president said.

Zelenskyy added that the war with Russia has different levels of confrontation – the front, economic defense, political confrontation, and the battle for people's motivation.

As of today, the enemy's biggest strategic advantage over Ukraine is its superiority in the sky.

"This is missile and bomb terror that helps Russian troops advance on the ground and Russian hatred to destroy the lives of Ukrainians," Zelenskyy said.

He added: Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will have no interest in seeking an honest peace until we deprive Russia of the ability to terrorize Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said that the aggressor country had destroyed 9 gigawatts of capacity, while last winter the peak consumption was 18 gigawatts.

By winter, Ukraine plans to restore all power facilities where possible, the head of state promised.

According to Zelenskyy, gas generation will solve the issue of energy shortages today, and will later be switched to hydrogen and balance the new "green" energy. The President also emphasized that European and, in particular, German companies are technological leaders in this area.

"It is in this area that we have a clear plan to build up to 1 GW of capacity this year. And another 4 GW over the next few years. It is in this area that we are signing the first contracts at our conference. And this is why we need your maximum leadership," Zelenskyy said.

He called for everything to be done to preserve the existing generation and restore the one that Ukraine lost due to Russian aggression.

Zelenskyy also said that Ukraine and Germany are preparing to conclude "hundreds of agreements" at the level of communities, companies, and the government. According to him, the event is attended by international partners "not only from Europe." They will sign agreements "worth billions of euros."

"We are talking about the production of military equipment and weapons, the development of Ukrainian energy, housing construction, and the medical sector," the president said.

In addition, Zelenskyy called for a "blackout of Russian terror" at a joint press conference with Scholz.

"Together, we must ensure the blackout of Russian terror in order to bring the possibility of real peace out of the blackout. And together with Germany we are able to do it. Our key emphasis today, of course, is on air defense and energy. This is what modern life and normal social activity are impossible without," he said.

The President noted that Germany is a leader in helping Ukraine to protect its skies with Patriot systems.

"And today we have a new solution for air defense – and not only Patriot. Germany has already saved thousands of lives of Ukrainians – saved them from Russian terror. This is something for which Ukraine will always be grateful. And this is what brings the end of this war closer," the Ukrainian leader said.

In turn, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced the date of confiscation of 1.5 billion euros of proceeds from Russian assets. According to her, these proceeds will be available to Ukraine in July. 10% will be used for reconstruction and restoration, and a large percentage will be used for defense.

In addition, the European Union will provide Kyiv with 1.9 billion euros by the end of the June under the UkraineFacility program, which is designed for three years.

The head of the European Commission also said that the EU should start negotiations on Ukraine's accession by the end of June.

"Ukraine has fulfilled all the steps that we have prescribed, that we have formulated. That is why we believe that the EU should start accession negotiations by the end of this month... Kharkiv is Europe, Ukraine is Europe and our union is your home. Glory to Ukraine and long live Europe," she said.

For its part, Italy plans to provide a new aid package to Ukraine worth 140 million euros, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said at a conference. The money will be used for recovery and reconstruction, as well as for railroad infrastructure.

In particular, they will invest in the restoration of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, which was destroyed by a Russian missile.

Tayani also announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Ukraine and Italy.

Later, the Ukrainian president said that he had also met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Germany.

The topics of the talks, according to Zelenskyy, were the security situation in Ukraine and current needs amid Russian attacks on the energy sector and active fighting along the entire frontline.

They also discussed Ukraine's expectations from the results of the inaugural Peace Summit and examined the partnership between Ukrainian and German cities and communities.

"I am grateful to Germany for hosting and organizing this year's International Conference on the Restoration of Ukraine," Zelenskyy said.

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner, in turn, said that Ukraine and Germany had signed a joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen bilateral cooperation to rebuild Ukraine after the war.

"We do not limit ourselves to the form of support that Ukraine needs to win the war. We want to make our contribution now so that Ukraine can set the course for future growth through its reconstruction," he said.

According to the minister, it is not only about financial resources but also about building institutional capacity to support private companies in Ukraine and facilitate investment.

It was previously announced that Germany, as a co-organizer of the conference on rebuilding Ukraine, would focus on such areas as education, healthcare, the public sector, and the restoration of communities and regions.

The conference was attended by foreign ministers from several countries, as well as representatives of business, civil society, and municipalities from more than 60 countries.

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