Since Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against its neighbour, the European Union has been at the forefront of efforts to support Ukraine through political, financial, and humanitarian assistance. Not only united in solidarity and steadfast in aiding the country, but the EU has also provided it with tangible aid worth over €67 billion in the first years of the war alone. Through its participation in the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023, the European Union contributed to Ukraine’s long-term economic and social future and helped the country “build back better” as a more resilient, greener, and more prosperous European nation. The EU supported the country with its recovery from the effects of war, including through emergency assistance for immediate needs.

During the opening session of the URC, President Ursula von der Leyen, as one of three keynote speakers, alongside British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, highlighted the European Union’s strength and unity in the face of the Russian invasion and its assistance to Ukraine’s recovery efforts. The EC President detailed the EU’s financial support for Ukraine after 2023, urging and maintaining international support for the country, and driving long-term public and private investment, as outlined to the UK Prime Minister during their call a few days before the Conference. During her speech, President von der Leyen said:

 I have no doubt that Ukraine will be part of our Union. So today, I want to announce two new steps. Despite the war, Ukraine has accelerated its reform agenda with impressive speed and resolve. We, in the European Union, want to match efforts and dedication. This is why today, the European Commission presents a new oral update on the progress Ukraine made on judicial reform, on anti-corruption, on new laws for media and national minorities. This reporting shows the goal is in sight and we will work with Ukraine to get over the finish line(...). We want to match Ukrainian reforms with European investments.  For every step Ukraine takes towards us, the European Union must take a step towards Ukraine.  Yesterday, the European Commission proposed to create a new Facility for Ukraine within the budget of the European Union. It will ensure constant financial support until 2027.

Ukraine’s recovery needs were also the focus of discussions of Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-president for Economy and Commissioner for Trade. The Commissioner detailed short-term solutions to Ukraine’s early recovery and its immediate needs, as well as long-term challenges and specific projects that needed to be financed to progress Ukraine’s recovery across all sectors, taking under consideration measures to de-risk and crowd in private finance. Following his presentations at the URC Plenary, the Executive Vice President held a series of bilateral meetings with Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, Anna Bjerde, World Bank’s Managing Director of Operations, Kemi Badenoch, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, and Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England. Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis also attended a reception hosted by Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska.