Prime Minister: rebuilding Ukraine is a challenge that no country can or should address alone
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė delivered an opening address at the international conference Rebuild Ukraine, organised by the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation, which brought together politicians, experts and representatives of NGOs to discuss aid to Ukraine and the aftermath of the Russian war.
As Prime Minister said in her speech, our generation had never imagined that we would witness such senseless cruelty and devastation – in the 21st century, in the middle of Europe, however, in the face of war we had no luxury to be overwhelmed by the immediate state of shock and despair for too long. And we did not.
‘The Government, municipalities, businesses, NGOs, and our people have been donating aid, volunteering, and welcoming war refugees from Ukraine to our country and their own homes. Our military, humanitarian, and financial aid to Ukraine will continue until you win this war. And I hope it will help Ukraine achieve the victory faster. Because here, in Lithuania, we feel your pain and celebrate your victories as if they were our own’, said Prime Minister.
Yet, even victories in such a gruesome war are bittersweet, though, as evidenced by the Russia's war crimes and the scale of its destruction. But Ukraine, as the Prime Minister pointed out, cannot postpone rebuilding efforts until after the final victory is achieved – rebuilding has already started on every inch of land reclaimed from the enemy.
‘In early April, I saw with my own eyes seemingly endless rows of roofless houses with shattered windows in the villages surrounding Kyiv. I walked amid the apocalyptic ruins of Borodianka. However, what could have become a ghost town was nothing like that. I also saw dozens of volunteers and emergency servicemen and servicewomen cleaning the rubble brick by brick to bring the town back to life as soon as possible’, said Head of the Government.
As the Ukrainian people are coming back home from their shelters and temporary refuge in Ukraine and abroad, the Ukrainian lands must be and are being demined; water and energy supply restored; at least major roads, bridges, and railway connections rebuilt; kindergartens, schools, and hospitals able to function; and housing facilities repaired to have roofs and windows before winter comes.
‘Last week at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano, the Government of Ukraine has presented their plan on how to recover the Ukrainian economy and rebuild a truly European, stronger, greener, socially inclusive, and prosperous Ukraine. We also agreed on the main principles that will guide the recovery process – such as full transparency and accountability, strong focus on reforms, especially those that would bring Ukraine closer to the EU membership, Ukraine’s lead in the recovery process and significant, coordinated engagement of international partners as well as stakeholders inside Ukraine, including municipalities, businesses, NGOs, and academia’, said Prime Minister.
According to Prime Minister, now the task for Ukraine, its friends, and partners, including the EU and Lithuania, is to demonstrate that we can – and will – swiftly shift from discussing to delivering on this plan and principles, together.