The international conference in support of Ukraine, organized in Paris, raised more than one billion euros (nearly 1.4 billion dollars) in donations to help the population get through the winter in a country with infrastructure ravaged by Russian attacks.
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This is more than the 800 million demanded by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the opening of this meeting which was called “Solidarity of the Ukrainian people”.
“I am happy to announce that we have exceeded this figure,” announced the head of French diplomacy Catherine Colonna alongside Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Chmygal.
Ms Colonna insisted that the countries might not “leave Ukrainians alone”, and insisted that these donations were dedicated to “concrete” aid such as the delivery of electric generators while for several weeks the army Russia specifically targets energy infrastructure, depriving populations of light and heating.
Mr. Chmygal reported that 40 to 50% of the Ukrainian energy network had been destroyed by Russian bombardments.
But thanks to this aid, “our country will not sink into the dark”, reacted Mr. Chmygal, welcoming the “powerful signal” of support for Ukraine from the “civilized world”.
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He also said that “France and President (Emmanuel) Macron have taken the lead on President Zelensky’s peace preparation points” Zelensky, reiterated on Monday, while several statements by Emmanuel Macron deemed too complacent with Russia have bristled some European officials.
AFP
The Kremlin dismissed the Ukrainian peace plan on Tuesday, replying that Kyiv must cede the territories which Russia claims should be annexed before any diplomatic negotiations, while the fighting and the bombardments continue, as in Kramatorsk for example, whose center- city and industrial zone were hit on Tuesday, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Of the billion euros announced on Tuesday, 415 million will be allocated to the energy sector, 25 million for water, 38 million for food, 17 million for health, 22 for transport, the rest, nearly 493 million euros, not yet broken down, said the French minister.
After the conferences in Lugano, Warsaw and Berlin in recent months, this meeting, which brought together 70 delegations from countries and international organizations, including several heads of government, was intended to be “practical-practical”, Emmanuel Macron explained at the opening, in the presence of Mr. Zelensky’s wife.
“What is very important for us are the high voltage equipment (…), because they are among the most popular targets” of the Russians, had explained to AFP the Ukrainian Minister of Energy. German Galushchenko.
“Russia, whose military weaknesses have come to light, has opted for a cynical strategy,” Macron lamented, repeating that these strikes constituted “war crimes” which would “not go unpunished”.
Ms. Colonna also indicated that among the aid, there would be the sending of a laboratory collecting DNA to accumulate evidence of abuse.
These efforts are in addition to the crucial support in military equipment provided by the West, led by the United States. Ukraine continues to clamor for more weapons, having so far pushed back the Russian army.
For the French part, Emmanuel Macron announced for the beginning of 2023 an additional aid of 76.5 million euros to spend the winter. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has indicated that Berlin will pay 50 million euros.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, recalling that the EU had pledged to provide Kyiv with macro-financial assistance of 18 billion euros in 2023, announced the purchase of 30 million LED light bulbs for the benefit of Ukraine, which are much less energy intensive.
In addition, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will send missions to “secure” five nuclear power plants in Ukraine, including that of Zaporijjia, occupied by the Russian army, Denys Chmygal also indicated following a meeting in Paris with the world nuclear policeman, Rafael Grossi. This agreement must “obviously involve the Russian side”, said the latter.
During the press conference, he noted that France was “very active” on the security of the plants. For example, “France will provide with the IAEA spare parts (…) for the emergency generators of the Ukraine South power plant”, illustrated Ms. Colonna.
Asked regarding China’s absence from the meeting, Ms. Colonna pointed out that she was not invited.
But she noted that more and more “friendly” countries had joined the momentum of solidarity, citing representatives of the Gulf countries and India, or even Hun Sen, the Cambodian prime minister.
After the morning meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the followingnoon meeting took place at the Ministry of the Economy with the aim of mobilizing this time French companies for reconstruction. More than 700 companies participated in the event.
Faced with massive destruction, “we must invest in a reconstruction effort,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a video message.
“The mobilization of companies … is in my eyes crucial”, declared Emmanuel Macron, calling on them to propose “solutions to help Ukraine’s economic recovery”, “and this, without waiting for the end of the war” .
In another video message, Mr. Zelensky told them: “we have a lot of possibilities and opportunities that you will not find anywhere else in the world”.
