The Prime Minister has opened the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, an international event designed to get allies talking about recovery and reconstruction of the war-torn country.
The conference is bringing together governments, international organisations and corporations to discuss how best to rebuild the country’s finances after the war.
Rishi Sunak opened the conference with a speech demanding Russia pays “for the destruction that they’ve inflicted”.
He also announced that over 400 businesses from 38 countries, with a combined market cap of $4.9 trillion have now signed up to the Ukraine Business Compact, a private sector programme to support Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction.
Mr Sunak also offered up the City of London’s financial expertise to help in the effort.
He announced a new London Conference Framework for War Risk Insurance.
“This is a huge step forward towards helping insurers to underwrite investments into Ukraine – removing one of the biggest barriers and giving investors the confidence, they need to act.
“With this and with everything that we do here, we are sending a message.
“That our support – on the battlefield and beyond – cannot be outlasted and that Ukraine’s incredible spirit will prevail.”
President Zelensky spoke via video link, thanking the UK and Mr Sunak.
He joked that he hadn’t seen Mr Sunak in too long, inviting him and the audience to Ukraine.
Mr Sunak retorted “Thank you, Thank you Volodymyr.
“Not least for providing options for my summer holiday in a couple of months.”
