Poland set on rebuilding Ukraine, PM Tusk tells conference in Rome
It is time to open a new chapter in the reconstruction of Ukraine, this time during peace, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has told participants of an international conference on rebuilding Ukraine.
Speaking at the beginning of the two-day conference focused on rebuilding Ukraine, held in Rome on Thursday and Friday, Tusk said that Ukraine's reconstruction was contingent upon its victory in the ongoing war against Russia, a conflict that is also pivotal for all of Europe.
Tusk mentioned Poland's special role in supporting Ukraine, noting that the country had allocated EUR 25 billion towards humanitarian assistance, refugee support and military aid to Ukraine.
Poland was also investing in the rebuilding of Ukraine's road and communication infrastructure and was channelling 90 percent of the humanitarian and military aid directed to the country, he added.
A free and sovereign Ukraine also meant a more secure European Union, Tusk said.
Tusk also said it was "very probable" that the participants in the conference would choose Poland to host next year's event.
"And we will do it in such a way so that the world will really see not only where the centre for organising aid for Ukraine is, but also for businesses and big money for joint operations," he stressed.
Later on Thursday Tusk confirmed the decision, saying that Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani would on Friday officially ask Pawel Kowal, the Polish government commissioner for Ukraine recovery, to organise the conference.
"There will be, perhaps not a ceremony, but a presentation to Poland of the project to organise the conference next year," Tusk said, adding that he had discussed it with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier on Thursday.
Poland's Prime Minister said that the Ukrainian side is interested and so far, in favour of that scenario.
"There were more competitors. If need be, we'll confirm this with President Zelensky, for the time being everything indicates that it will be in Poland," Tusk announced.
The first Ukraine Recovery Conference was held in Lugano following the onset of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The second gathering took place in London in 2023 and the third in Berlin in 2024.
This year's meeting, held on July 10 and 11 in Rome, is being attended by delegations from around 100 countries, international organisations and financial institutions.
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