London Conference: Russia Must Pay Bill for Reconstruction of Ukraine

Ukraine's Western allies pledged to increase financial aid to the Ukrainian economy, which has been devastated by a war that has been going on for more than a year.

But the allies charged Russia with paying the bill for the country's reconstruction, at the London conference that started yesterday and will last for two days.

Leaders and representatives of more than 60 countries are participating in the conference dedicated to the reconstruction of Ukraine, which seeks to mobilize countries, companies, and major financial institutions to rebuild infrastructure, remove mines, relaunch the economy, and finance public services.

Rebuilding the economy will cost $411 billion; According to a recent study by the World Bank, the United Nations, the European Union, and the Ukrainian government.

In a video speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "We must move from a vision to agreements and from agreements to concrete projects." He added, "Every day of the Russian aggression causes new ruins, thousands of homes destroyed, industries destroyed, and lives burned."

For his part, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced yesterday that Russia is causing the destruction of Ukraine and will eventually bear the cost of rebuilding Ukraine." As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "The aggressor must be held accountable."