By C.R.
Last week in Warsaw, Prime Minister Janez Janša attended a donors’ conference for Ukraine. The conference was co-organised by Poland and Sweden, in cooperation with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The donors’ conference was also joined by the United Nations.
The donors’ conference was aimed primarily at drawing attention to the difficult humanitarian situation of the affected population in Ukraine and expressing support and solidarity with Ukraine. The conference was opened by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, European Council President Charles Michel, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In their speeches, European leaders emphasised their support for Ukraine and the importance of democracy and freedom. They also pointed out the great humanitarian crisis and the number of refugees who left their homeland at the time of the beginning of the Russian aggression in Ukraine.
“I would like to reiterate the importance and timing of the organisation of this conference. When we observe the Russian aggression on Ukraine, we are also witnessing the worst humanitarian crisis, and we are full of admiration for the Ukrainian nation, which shows incredible courage, defends its homeland and fights for universal values: freedom and democracy,” said Prime Minister Janez Janša in his address. “President Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Shmyhal and the Ukrainian government and people are a great inspiration to all of us,” he added. “When we visited Kyiv in mid-March with the Polish and Czech Prime Ministers, we saw that Ukraine would never be defeated. The answer to the question of when the war in Ukraine will come to an end is more or less hidden in your courage and our help. This is a combination that will be victorious,” said the Slovenian Prime Minister.
“I am proud that the European Union has shown a high degree of unity in response to Russian aggression, as well as efficiency in aiding. We have opposed the war, we will be able, and we will win,” the Prime Minister emphasised.
“We are looking forward to the day in the near future when we will be able to welcome Ukraine as a full member of the EU,” said the Slovenian Prime Minister, who also thanked Poland and neighbouring countries for their hospitality to more than a million Ukrainian refugees. “More than 6,000 Ukrainian refugees also came to Slovenia and found shelter in our country. A few days ago, 20 orphans fled the horrors of war,” said the Prime Minister.
“We responded in accordance with our moral commitment. In addition to material, technical assistance, and military donations, we have donated several million euros to various humanitarian organisations, and today we are increasing these donations by another one million euros, especially for UNICEF to help the Ukrainian people,” said the Prime Minister, adding that a special law on Ukraine is also being drafted, which is to go through a parliamentary procedure and shorten the procedures so that aid can reach Ukraine in a timely manner. “We remain in solidarity with Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine!” Prime Minister Janez Janša concluded his address.
At the meeting, several leaders announced additional financial assistance to address urgent humanitarian needs, in line with humanitarian calls and the humanitarian response plan. The Prime Ministers, who addressed the audience, including Albania, Croatia, Finland, Georgia, Iceland, Slovakia, and Romania, emphasised that solidarity is crucial for the Ukrainian people at the moment, and stressed the importance of a European perspective for Ukraine.
In their speeches, the Prime Ministers also pointed out the strengthening of the resilience of the Ukrainian population and also emphasised the economic recovery of Ukraine after the war.
On the side-lines of the donors’ conference for Ukraine, Prime Minister Janez Janša met with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković in Warsaw. In the talks, they focused on further financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and on sanctions against Russia and the importance of the EU’s energy independence.