Zelensky urges 'Marshall Plan-style' support for Ukraine at Recovery Conference in Rome
Editor's note: The story is being updated.
President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a Marshall Plan-style reconstruction strategy to help Ukraine recover from Russia's all-out war in his opening remarks at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome on July 10.
Earlier in the day, the president and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived at the two-day event focused on mobilizing political and private-sector support for Ukraine's reconstruction. The previous three conferences have taken place in Lugano, London, and Berlin.
"We need a Marshall Plan-style approach, and we should develop it together," Zelensky told representatives of governments, international organizations, and businesses who gathered in Rome.
The Marshall Plan was an economic aid program that the United States offered to European countries after World War II to help them rebuild their economies.
"Rebuilding Ukraine is not just about our country. It's also about your countries, your companies, your technology, your jobs," Zelensky said.
Drawing comparisons to existing international coalitions supporting Kyiv's military efforts, he called upon international partners to form a recovery coalition and help Ukraine rebuild with a systematic approach.
"The way we rebuild our country can also modernize your infrastructure and industries. And I ask you to support the recovery coalition and help define specific financing mechanisms."
Zelensky stressed that Kyiv would welcome only "true partners" in the initiative, "those who are not helping Russia continue this war."
The president called for more "active" ways of using roughly $300 billion in Russian assets immobilized by the West to aid Ukraine's recovery efforts. He also urged foreign partners to increase investment in Ukraine's missiles, air defenses, and interceptor drones to help fend off Russian aerial attacks.
Zelensky pointed out that earlier on July 10, Russia launched around 400 drones and 18 missiles against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, killing two people and injuring, according to the latest figures, over 20.
Speaking before Zelensky, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized Italy's commitment to mobilizing private capital for Ukraine's reconstruction.
"We can play this match and win it only if we manage to mobilize private capital, the entrepreneurial spirit of enterprises, and their ability to attract investments," she told the participants.
The conference yielded significant financial commitments, with participants agreeing to "more than 10 billion euros ($12 billion) commitment" for reconstruction efforts, according to Meloni.
"Don't be scared of investing, of building, of reconstructing in Ukraine. Because investing in the reconstruction of Ukraine is a fruitful investment in a nation that has shown resilience”, Meloni said.
"Investing in Ukraine means investing in ourselves. Because you may like it or not, but what happens in Ukraine is about all of us."
Drawing comparisons to Italy's "economic miracle" after the devastation caused by World War II, Meloni voiced hope that the Rome conference would usher in a new "miracle" in Ukraine.
The URC 2025 is organized jointly by the governments of Ukraine and Italy, with the participation of the European Commission, international financial institutions, business leaders, civil society, and local authorities.
The conference's primary goal is to mobilize political, financial, and technical support for Ukraine, focusing on attracting private investment, strengthening human capital, rebuilding communities and regions, and advancing reforms for European integration.
Ahead of the conference, Zelensky met with Pope Leo XIV and U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg.
Zelensky told the conference that he and Pope Leo discussed efforts to bring home Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
"We really must explore every possible way to bring our children back home to their families, to Ukraine, so they don't forget who they are... And so they are not used against Ukraine in war or sabotage when they grow up."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha earlier announced that on July 10, Zelensky is scheduled to hold further talks in Rome with U.S. officials to discuss sanctions policy and the imminent adoption of a new U.S. sanctions package against Russia.
