The estimated cost of Ukraine’s post-war recovery has exceeded $486 billion for a period of ten years, and Kyiv is seeking new sources of revenue, both domestically and internationally, to meet these urgent needs. The estimates do not cover the regions still under Russian occupation, which were not accessible. After more than 2 and half years of war, the Russians destroyed a big part of the road infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and many homes. Some reconstruction projects have already started, and the country has more and more foreign investors, including Romanians, opening businesses there. A forum for the reconstruction of this country has been recently held in Bucharest, organized by the Romania-Ukraine Bilateral Chambers of Commerce. Romania can play the role of logistic hub in the reconstruction of Ukraine, said Nasty Vlădoiu, the president of the Romania-Ukraine Bilateral Chambers of Commerce, who participated in the event.
The experts present at the meeting tried to explain what this means, so that our country is recognized as such by the Government in Kyiv. This aspect is considered important in the future strategic partnership between Romania and Ukraine, Nasty Vlădoiu explained: “For Romania, the reconstruction of Ukraine means, in fact, a reconstruction, at the same time, of Romania, of the entire area, of the entire Black Sea region, it means a retracing of new flows, of a new vision, of a new approach. I am convinced that Romania, alongside other countries and Ukraine, will be the engine of the implementation of this vision in the Black Sea region, that it will have an extremely important role in terms of stability and development.”
In his turn, the Ukrainian Ambassador in Romania, Ihor Prokopchuk, voiced his hope that the money for the reconstruction of his country will be taken from the frozen Russian assets, which, at the EU level alone, amount to approximately 350 billion dollars. The countries that are now standing with Ukraine will be welcome in the reconstruction process that follows, the Ukrainian diplomat also said.
At the end of September, the EU and more than 30 other countries adopted, in New York, a Joint Declaration on assistance for the recovery of Ukraine. Thus, the allies of the former Soviet republic reaffirm the commitments already made to support the country’s economy and contribute to its recovery after the war, including through loans that will be repaid with the revenues from Russia’s frozen assets. The destruction caused by the war launched by Russia in February 2022 particularly affected trade, energy, agriculture and transport infrastructure. The greatest damage was recorded in Donetsk, Kharkov, Luhansk, Zaporozhye, Kherson and Kyiv regions. The data shows that at least 10% of Ukraine’s building stock has been destroyed or damaged, prolonging the displacement of Ukrainians. (Mihai Pelin, Radio Romania International)
