Opening this meeting on the long-term support of the country attacked by Russia since February 24, the German leader affirmed that it was a question of “nothing less than to create a new Marshall plan for the 21st century”.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also present at this conference bringing together political leaders and experts in Berlin, considered the extent of the destruction “astonishing”.
“The World Bank estimates the cost of the damage at 350 billion euros – that is certainly more than any one country or union can provide alone. We need everyone on deck,” he said. she says.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who delivered a video-transmitted address, called for support from the international community to enable the country to balance its budget next year
“At this conference we have to take a decision to close the hole of the Ukrainian budget deficit next year,” he said. “It’s a very large sum of 38 billion dollars (…) it’s the salaries of teachers, doctors, it’s social benefits, pensions,” he added.
