Two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference begins in London

LONDON. June 21 (Interfax) - A Ukraine Recovery Conference began in London on Wednesday.

According to the conference's website, the two-day event "will focus on mobilizing international support for Ukraine's economic and social stabilization and recovery from the effects" of the conflict.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will be among the participants. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is also expected to make an appearance. The British government said Zelensky would attend the conference online.

Besides heads of state and government, the conference will involve representatives of non-governmental organizations and several hundred businessmen.

Sunak will deliver a speech as the host country leader to call for expediting Ukraine's recovery by investment and innovation. He will also ask investors and businessmen for long-term support for Ukraine.

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Tuesday that the UK authorities were set to help recovery of the Ukrainian economy but wanted to make sure of the maximum efficiency of the use of such allocations.

"We are talking about very large sums, and [...] it is better, when such significant funds are at stake, that we do it right rather than trying to do it quick," Cleverly said at a press conference in London.

He noted the importance of reforms in Ukraine to ensure effective spending of the Western assistance.