Rome, July 10, 2025 (Lusa) - The President of the European Council, António Costa, said on Thursday at the Conference on the Recovery of Ukraine in Rome that “the international community must hold Russia accountable for the devastation it has caused” and “Russia must take responsibility for rebuilding what it has sought to destroy”.
Speaking at the Fourth Conference on the Recovery of Ukraine, a high-level meeting bringing together several political leaders in the Italian capital between today and Friday, the President of the European Council said that “the reconstruction of Ukraine will require a massive and sustained effort by the international community” that “matches the scale of the destruction and the urgency of the moment”.
“We must hold Russia accountable for the devastation it has caused”, and “the aggressor must take responsibility for rebuilding what it sought to destroy,” he argued.
The former Portuguese prime minister pointed out that, as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had previously stated, “Ukraine can count on the European Union,” but emphasised that “this effort must also be based on justice.”
António Costa noted that “reconstruction is primarily about people and local communities, municipalities, mayors, civil society and the media, as well as buildings, and it starts at the local level”, considering that “local communities, municipalities, mayors, civil society and the media are key players in this process”.
“As a former mayor [of Lisbon], I know the power that civil society can have in meeting immediate needs, promoting community-led solutions and advancing the reforms necessary for EU accession,” he said.
Addressing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Costa praised “his leadership in calling for an unconditional ceasefire and mobilising all diplomatic efforts for a just and sustainable peace”, but noted that “fortunately, Russia will respond with peace, relief, and life-saving measures,” a situation that “must end.”
“From day one, the European Union has stood - and will continue to stand - firmly by your side to ensure a fair and lasting peace. We are doing so by increasing pressure on Russia through sanctions, strengthening Ukraine’s defence and using all diplomatic instruments at our disposal to restore peace in Europe,” he said.
This is the fourth annual conference dedicated to the future recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine since Russia launched its large-scale invasion on 1 February 2022, following those held in Lugano (Switzerland) months after the start of the aggression, in London (2023) and Berlin (2024).
More than 3,500 participants are attending the conference in the Italian capital, including around 100 official delegations and 40 international organisations, as well as hundreds of representatives from financial institutions, companies, regional and municipal authorities, civil society and the Ukrainian diaspora.
In his opening speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky argued that the “escalation of terror by Russia” shows that President Vladimir Putin prefers confrontation over peace, calling for accelerated aid from Kyiv’s allies and sanctions against Moscow.
For her part, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the creation of a European fund that will utilise public money to attract private investment for Ukraine's reconstruction, aiming to mobilise €500 million by 2026.
At the opening of the conference, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that pledges of aid for Ukraine’s reconstruction will likely reach €10 billion, referring to the commitments that participants will make at this Fourth Conference on the Recovery of Ukraine, which runs until Friday.
ACC/ADB // ADB.
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