Italy prepares $150 million aid package to support Ukraine's infrastructure

Italy is planning an aid package of 140 million euros ($150 million) to support the recovery of Ukraine's infrastructure, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on June 11 at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin.

The funds will be allocated for Ukraine's "infrastructure, railways, healthcare, agriculture, and mine clearance," and 45 million euros ($48 million) of that will be used for the reconstruction of Odesa, the minister said.

The world's government and business leaders, as well as representatives of international organizations and civil society, have gathered in the German capital for a two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference.

The event is attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who used the opportunity to call on international partners to provide further air defenses and energy aid to help the country withstand Russian attacks on the energy infrastructure.

Speaking at the conference, Tajani said that Italy and Ukraine will sign a cooperation memorandum today, June 11.

The minister also confirmed that Italy is preparing a military aid package that will include a new SAMP/T air defense system in addition to the one provided last year by France and Italy.

Attacks earlier this year against Ukraine's energy infrastructure destroyed several thermal power plants across the country, including the key power Trypillia plant, the main electricity supplier to Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Cherkasy oblasts.

Ukraine wants to restore energy facilities damaged by Russia by winter with allied help, Zelensky says at Berlin conference

“We are asking you for equipment from your shutdown power plants and direct financial support. This will allow us to respond to the situation here and now. To preserve normal life,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova