Ukraine has called for frozen Russian assets to be used to rebuild the country’s war-ravaged economy after a report showed the cost of reconstruction increasing to almost $500bn.

In their third assessment of the likely price tag for recovery and reconstruction after Russia’s invasion two years ago, the World Bank, Ukraine’s government, the European Commission and the UN said the war had caused the economy to shrink by more than 25% and had been a “dramatic setback” to Ukraine’s development.

Ukraine’s prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, said: “The needs or reconstruction have continued to grow over the past year. The main resource for Ukraine’s recovery should be the confiscation of Russian assets frozen in the west. We need to start this process already this year.”

An estimated $300bn of Russian assets have been frozen since the war started in February 2022.

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  • andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works
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    9 months ago

    As a russkiy boy, I’m only troubled with how long it takes. I know the democratic order, the struggles every decision goes through in the EU, the fear of setting the precedent. But Ukraine needs it right now, they wanted it yesterday or even two years ago. And many civilian deaths could’ve been prevented if they had these money at least in defensive munition. But they had what they’ve got from the most concerned countries and try to do something with that.

        • hemmes@lemmy.world
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          9 months ago

          What’s the general sentiment with the community? I imagine, if it’s anything like the current climate in the states, your community may be pretty split.

          • andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works
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            9 months ago

            Sadly, they are indifferent.They are too used to ve lied to. Even if there would occur a candidate everyone would love, they’d have a hard time trusting him.

            Most russian folks are into the ultimate status quo - let whatever ruler do what they want as long as they don’t touch me.

            They feel the same with war, with the economy. There should be at least a decade before they start to be politically healthy. Only a part of millenials and zoomers are dare to protest, to sign for alternative candidate, because we just haven’t nurtured a culture of saying anything, instead of assuming the system is all sold off and we can’t change anything.

            • hemmes@lemmy.world
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              9 months ago

              Wow. That’s some really human and relatable stuff right there. I feel you brother. You’re right, it’ll take baby steps. But the youth of the nation can make the some of the greatest changes.

              • andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works
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                9 months ago

                I hope so. And I make sure at least my circle of friends knows who to be angry at. That’s not big, but it’s more than nothing, and who knows if there are other mental dudes like me, us creating a voting base against the evil fuckery.