Ukraine's reconstruction is necessary while the war is still ongoing, Danish ambassador
Photo: Danish Ambassador to Ukraine Ole Egberg Mikkelsen in Kyiv (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine needs to be restored before the end of hostilities with Russia, Danish Ambassador to Ukraine Ole Egberg Mikkelsen said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
“Some people are saying, okay, reconstruction, that's fine, but we have to wait for peace. Once there is peace, then we need a big conference and a big plan. We say, no, we cannot wait for that. We have to start now,” he said.
The ambassador emphasized that Ukraine's recovery cannot wait for the war's end.
“This is, I think, the lesson learned in Mykolaiv that it's good to start while the war is still ongoing because that creates hope, that one day this nightmare will be over and there will be somebody who will help us. And this has, I think, created some optimism. We can see that people are returning to Mykolaiv,” Mikkelsen said.
He noted that the mayor of one of the towns where Denmark helped a local factory said that if the company did not work, there was nothing to do in the town.
“And now that factory is working. And I can see whenever I go that there is a car outside many of the houses, I can see women coming down the street with a stroller and the school has reopened. It's very tangible, it's very concrete, it's something that makes a difference and that's what we want to do. We want to make a difference now, not when there is peace,” the ambassador said.
At the same time, on behalf of Denmark, he called on countries and financial institutions not to wait for the end of the war in Ukraine, but to “do something now.”
Reconstruction of Ukraine
Large-scale capital injections from the international community will be a key factor in Ukraine's recovery after the war.
The European Union is already actively involved in building the country's resilience.
However, much more support will be needed for Ukraine's long-term recovery as a free, prosperous country that shares European values and is integrated into the European and global economy.
Funds are needed not only to rebuild the destroyed infrastructure but also to carry out reforms, stimulate economic growth, and create conditions for sustainable development.
Switzerland recently allocated 5 billion euros to help rebuild Ukraine. The funding will be used to repair destroyed infrastructure, support businesses, and create new jobs.
The plan also includes reforms to improve Ukraine's investment climate and fight corruption.
