World must unite to help in rebuilding this proud nation

SEVENTY-FIVE years ago, US Secretary of State George Marshall called for a plan to help Europe emerge from the ashes of the Second World War.

In a speech at Harvard University he set out the need to rebuild an entire continent. He also posed a series of questions: What is needed?what can best be done?what must be done?

Today, those same questions also apply to Ukraine.

The UK has been at the heart of the international response to Putin’s conflict.as we support the ongoing battle, we are also looking ahead – to when we can help this valiant nation rebuild.

The task is enormous.whole cities and industries have been devastated.

Reconstruction is about far more than bricks and mortar. It is about healing the wounds inflicted on a proud, sovereign nation: helping restore its soul.

Last month, at the World Economic Forum, President Zelensky called on governments and businesses to play their part.

The UK has much to offer – from infrastructure to energy, healthcare and financial and legal services, our businesses lead the world across a wide range of fields. Our potential to assist is huge.

I will be bringing together representatives from the business world, charities and other experts, to discuss with Ukraine how we can work together.

The Uk-ukraine Infrastructure Summit is a chance to share ideas and experiences. Importantly, we will hear from Ukraine’s ministers and officials about their priorities.

I will also be calling on our allies to join us in this critical work at this week’s World Trade Organisation conference.

Together, we must examine how trade can rebuild Ukraine and repair the global economic fallout.we must also urgently consider how we can prevent Vladimir Putin’s hunger for power from starving the world.

WTO members must also focus their attention on a host of other urgent challenges – from the global recovery from Covid, to the need to protect the environment.

There can be no doubt that the challenges facing the global community are great.

I believe that free, fair and open trade has the power to help us overcome them.