Schulze offers extensive support to Ukraine before Berlin gathering.

Schulze offers extensive support to Ukraine before Berlin gathering.

At a conference with up to 2000 attendees from around 60 countries, the focus is on bringing together actors from the economy, society, and municipalities. This event isn't focused on specific financial pledges. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also expected to attend. The event is set to kick off at around 10:00 AM, with a speech by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). Prior to the conference, Zelenskyy met with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Schloss Bellevue, as evidenced by television footage.

With Russia launching large-scale attacks, this Berlin gathering is also meant to address emergency aid during the conflict. The World Bank estimates the damage in Ukraine to be at least $486 billion (equivalent to approximately 446 billion euros). Whole regions have been devastated, and Russia has been continuously bombarding the Ukrainian power grid to disrupt the energy supply. As a result, hundreds of thousands of people are without power. Other infrastructure, such as water supply, hospitals, and schools, are also often targeted.

The attendees of the conference can be roughly divided into one-third coming from governments and international organizations, one-third from the economy and civil society, and one-third from municipalities and regions. "Having only government representatives is not enough anymore," said Minister Schulze earlier in the day. This is why there is an "expansive invitation list" for this conference co-hosted by Germany and Ukraine.

In 2022, similar conferences were held in Lugano, Switzerland, and in 2023 in London. For Ukraine, it's crucial to shift the focus away from the military conflict and towards rebuilding. The rebuilding process is an ongoing task, and it will also be crucial to connect Ukraine with the West on various levels.

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1. The Reconstruction conference in Berlin is expected to attract up to 2000 attendees, including representatives from governments, international organizations, the economy, society, and municipalities.
2. Olaf Scholz, the Federal Chancellor of Germany (SPD), will deliver a speech at the start of the Reconstruction conference, emphasizing the importance of supporting Ukraine in its rebuilding process.
3. Aids to Ukraine, including emergency aid during the conflict, will be a significant topic of discussion at the Reconstruction conference, with the World Bank estimating damage in Ukraine to be at least $486 billion.
4. Volodymyr Selenskyy, the President of Ukraine, is also expected to attend the Reconstruction conference, following a meeting with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Schloss Bellevue in Berlin.
5. The SPD's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Svenja Schulze, has been a strong advocate for extensive support to Ukraine and has emphasized the need for a diverse attendance list at the Reconstruction conference.
6. At the Reconstruction conference, the focus will not only be on specific financial pledges but also on bridging the gap between government representatives and actors from the economy, society, and municipalities.
7. The attendees of the Reconstruction conference will include one-third from governments and international organizations, one-third from the economy and civil society, and one-third from municipalities and regions, reflecting the need for a comprehensive approach to rebuilding Ukraine.
8. In addition to the Berlin gathering, similar conferences have been held in Lugano, Switzerland, and London in 2022 and 2023, respectively, as Ukraine seeks to shift its focus away from the military conflict and towards rebuilding and strengthening its connections with the West.

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