Spajić in Berlin: Ukraine is not alone, Europe is united in difficult times

I am certain that we would all much prefer to be gathered here with a full focus on helping Ukraine recover after the war has ended. However, as we enter the third year of Russian aggression, this conference is a real opportunity to show our friends from Ukraine that they are not alone, stated Prime Minister Milojko Spajić at the opening of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin.

The conflict on European soil has confirmed the need for a unified response. Therefore, I want to reiterate that Montenegro stands fully with Ukraine, ready to contribute to the implementation of urgent measures for the recovery, reconstruction, and modernisation of this country. I am certain that the conference will bring many new, high-quality ideas and that a clear message of European unity in these difficult times will resonate from Berlin, concluded Prime Minister Spajić.

The third conference of this kind brought together a large number of political leaders, representatives of international organisations, financial institutions, the private and civil sectors, think tank organisations, and members of the Ukrainian diaspora to exchange views on modes of cooperation aimed at providing concrete assistance to Ukraine in its comprehensive recovery and development.

Ukraine will win this war because they have demonstrated strength and loyalty to European principles, as they have chosen the European path, and we are with them on this path. The future of Ukraine is in the European Union; we said this a few days after the Russian aggression began, and we stand by it today, emphasised the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Olaf Scholz, who opened the Conference.

The fact that an event of this kind is being held in an EU country for the first time is an indicator of the EU's intent to show unequivocal support and contribute to Ukraine's stability and progress through its further advancement in the European integration and reform process.

In this context, special funds will be allocated for the economic recovery of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasised the need to secure the stability of energy sources, which are constantly targeted by Russian attacks, as soon as possible.

This war has many battles, those on the front lines, but we must also think about the economic conditions to enable Ukrainians to live a normal life. We see here in Berlin that many countries support us, and we are especially grateful for the help in strengthening our defence systems. One of the resources that Russia is trying to deprive us of is energy production sources; we have already lost many sources in large cities. The recovery and reconstruction of this sector will help not only Ukraine but all of Europe. We must show that Russia cannot cause interruptions in energy supplies at will. Therefore, by using modern technologies, we must utilize Ukraine's potentials and thus ensure the necessary energy sources, emphasised President Zelensky.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, highlighted that six billion euros in aid has already been allocated, but the EU will particularly encourage private sector investments to accelerate the modernisation of Ukraine's economy, which will be crucial for the country's recovery.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, along with Chief of Office Branko Krvavac, participated in a working meeting at the highest official level held within the framework of the Conference.