An international conference in Paris on December 13, to organize emergency support for Ukraine
October marked a turning point in the war in Ukraine, with a series of Russian bombardments on a scale not seen in months, against civilian infrastructure. A double international summit is to be held this Tuesday, December 13 in Paris: a conference “in solidarity with the Ukrainian people” and a conference for the resilience and reconstruction of Ukraine.
“Joint Franco-Ukrainian initiative”, the meeting aims to mobilize the international community to come to the aid of the Ukrainian population, as winter sets in. The idea is to enable the country to maintain its basic services, whether water, food, energy, health services or transport. According to the Elysée, the conference must lead to a coordination mechanism and financial support, or in kind, “which should arrive in Ukraine before mid-March”. The reconstruction of critical infrastructures is one of the priority objectives. The first is to avoid the collapse of the electricity network and the rupture of the water pipes.
Beyond this concrete short-term aid, Tuesday will also allow Ukraine to present its needs in terms of reconstruction. The idea is also to put French companies in contact with the Ukrainian authorities, who have an interest in participating in this major project which will take years. According to Bercy, around 500 companies will be represented there. “It is important that we can convey both to Moscow, but also to the Ukrainian people who suffer on a daily basis, the message that France, the international community, is by its side today but will also be by its side. tomorrow and in the years to come”, we underline at the presidency of the Republic.
According to the Élysée, a large list of participants has been announced; “beyond the European Union”. The palace evokes the presence of 47 States, 22 international organizations and financial institutions. Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky (by videoconference) will open the conference. Several members of the Ukrainian executive are expected, such as Prime Minister Denys Chmyhal, and the number two in the government Yuliia Svyrydenko, the Minister of Economy. United Nations Secretary General António Guterres will speak remotely.