25 April 2024,   11:35
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USD 6.5 billion raised at Donors’ Conference For Ukraine

Ukraine received pledges for USD 6.5 billion more in humanitarian aid at an international donor’s conference in Warsaw.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, a co-host of the conference, announced that USD 6.5 billion was raised in donations, eliciting applause from leaders and other officials attending the one-day meeting, including representatives from the United Nations and companies such as Google.

As Morawiecki said Ukraine needs over 12,000 tons of humanitarian aid every day, but that only 3,000 tons are getting through. He said the conference shows that the world is not indifferent to Russia"s “genocidal war”.

European Council President Charles Michel said he hoped the conference could be a starting point for a “Marshall Plan” for Ukraine, referring to a US-sponsored plan that helped revive European economies after World War II.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressing the conference by video, echoed Michel in saying that funds for Ukraine mirror the Marshall Plan and repeated the hope that Ukraine could join the EU.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said “hundreds of billions of euros and reforms” are needed to build Ukraine anew and pave its way into the EU.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who attended in person, said he was grateful for the “crucial help” that’s coming at a time when “the fate of our state is being decided”.

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