Ukraine Recovery Conference bolsters support for Ukraine

The fourth Ukraine Recovery Conference, which started in Rome on Thursday 10 July, has reaffirmed the West’s continued, wide-ranging and long-term support for Ukraine.

The high-level conference was attended by the leaders of countries that support Ukraine, along with representatives of organisations and businesses, among others. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, who represented Finland, spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in connection with the conference.

In his speech, Prime Minister Orpo emphasised that the future of independent Ukraine lies in Europe and that a safe and secure future for Europe is built together.

“Despite the ongoing war, the Ukrainians have set their sights on the future.  Finland has developed new financing mechanisms to improve the opportunities for our businesses to participate in Ukraine’s reconstruction. At the same time, companies are offering concrete support for Ukraine’s European path by operating with EU standards and contributing their expertise,” said Prime Minister Orpo.

A number of Finnish companies and organisations, including the City of Helsinki, are also attending the conference, reflecting the broad commitment of Finnish society to supporting Ukraine.

In Finland’s national statement, Prime Minister Orpo highlighted the joint Finnish-Ukrainian initiative to build civil defence shelters in Ukraine. Several countries have already expressed interest in helping to finance the project.

“Ukraine aims to build more than 10,000 new civil defence shelters over the next ten years. We welcome all interested partners to join the coalition and to support the project through the European Union’s Ukraine Facility,” Prime Minister Orpo said.

Prime Minister Orpo and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also discussed civil defence shelter cooperation and Finnish companies’ growing interest in Ukraine in a separate meeting. Other topics of discussion included ways to strengthen Ukraine’s defence and efforts to speed up the peace process and the start of Ukraine’s EU accession talks.

“Russia’s continued attacks show why now is the time to support Ukraine,” said Prime Minister Orpo.

Prime Minister Orpo emphasised that Ukraine is now Finland’s most significant development cooperation partner. Finland’s Country Programme for Development Cooperation in Ukraine (2025–2028), published today by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, complements Finland’s National Plan for Reconstruction of Ukraine and brings and sets objectives for activities financed by Finland's Official Development Assistance. Finland’s total budget for development cooperation with Ukraine in 2024–2028 will be at least EUR 320 million.

In connection with the conference, Prime Minister Orpo also met for bilateral talks with Italian Prime Minister Meloni. The prime ministers discussed the situation in Ukraine, trade policy and topical EU issues. 

“We share views with Italy and Prime Minister Meloni on the need to support Ukraine and the importance of transatlantic relations. Italy plays a key role in EU decision-making, and improving Europe’s competitiveness is our common goal. We will also be intensifying our cooperation on migration issues,” Orpo said.

Also in connection with the conference, Prime Minister Orpo attended a remote meeting of the coalition of the willing, a group of countries that have pledged to support Ukraine. The meeting focused on continued support for Ukraine, measures to end Russia’s war of aggression and related security arrangements. President Alexander Stubb was also in attendance and delivered Finland’s address at the meeting.

Inquiries: Marja Koskela, Diplomatic Adviser to the Prime Minister, tel. +358 295 160 978 and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU and International Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office