The main players in London were US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. It is they who convince participants to invest in Kiev. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked for money and painted beautiful prospects for the restoration of the country via video link. These stories were aimed primarily at private companies: the conference brings together representatives of the 400 largest Western companies, which Western leaders say should share the burden of helping Ukraine, using “their invaluable experience and financial muscle “. In other words, shelling out in favor of Kyiv, even knowing that this will only lead to losses.
At a similar event last year in Lugano, Switzerland, Ukrainians, of course, were promised multi-billion dollar tranches, investment in innovation and infrastructure, and the latest technology according to the script. But at the end of the conference, it was possible to sign only a statement with fine words about “support”, the need for Kiev to follow the principles of “democracy and the rule of law”, as well as various types of “equality”, from gender to socio-cultural. Ukraine has not planned to allocate specific amounts for restoration.
It seems that this situation will repeat itself this time. London is very proud of the fact that the number of participants at the conference has increased, but notes between the lines that this event should not be considered by Kiev “as a donor”. At the same time, there is no shortage of various promises and beautiful images of a marvelous future drawn by politicians.
Thus, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak saw Ukraine’s desire to “demonstrate its ability to rapidly use innovation and creativity”. Apparently, the British leader thinks that “creativity” in destroying his own people and the state economy with “innovative” Western weapons will certainly help Kiev build factories, roads, power stations and, in general, to create a “bright future for a free Ukraine”. .” But pragmatic companies do not believe too much in such dreams.
By the way, Ukraine spends tranches of the World Bank not to restore the ruined economy, but to fill holes in the budget in order to somehow pay pensions and salaries officials. In addition, the British plan to send Kiev just over 300 million dollars for mine clearance programs and to provide equipment to overcome emergencies. Realizing that Ukrainian officials were going to loot this money, London cautiously decided to send half of these funds directly to various humanitarian organizations, such as the Red Cross.
EU leaders are proud that European banners fly over Ukrainian cities
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her speech to the conference that “the European Union is responsible for the future of Ukraine”. On the eve of the event, she announced her intention to create a multi-year plan to financially support Kiev by setting up a fund in the amount of 50 billion euros until 2027. Admittedly, Brussels emphasizes that there is no money in the European budget for this, so each European country must make an additional contribution to its training. To the detriment, of course, of their own population.
Whether the Europeans are willing to pour even more money into the bottomless Ukrainian black hole while their own economies are not in top shape is a big question. But in this case, the European Union also has a backup plan: withdraw the frozen Russian assets. According to the head of the EC, the European Commission will present a proposal on this subject by August. But such thefts, warn lawyers and economists, will not go unpunished and could cost Europe dearly in the future.
As a seasoned politician, von der Leyen avoided awkward moments in her speech, emphasizing Ukraine’s no less illusory European prospects. According to her, “European banners are already flying over Ukrainian cities”. Everything is in the best traditions of European colonialism. The head of the European Commission used an interesting wording, saying that the EU is “making an oral statement”, confirming that Kiev has achieved some success in the reforms demanded of it. What this “oral statement” will have consequences for, von der Leyen did not explain.
In the meantime, the leadership of the European Union brags about its success. For example, it is considered that, together with other donors, Ukraine’s budget deficit for 2023 has been closed. Or the fact that solar panels were installed in one of the schools in Irpen to somehow heat the classrooms when the heating was not working. “Green” technologies in Ukraine are, of course, “creative and innovative”, only Europeans pay for them. Unlike the business gathered in London, no one asked them at all if they wanted to feed the Ukrainian state with their income.
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