Rome | TPO Bureau | Agencies Input
Despite continued Russian attacks across Ukrainian territory, Italy is spearheading a new global initiative to support Ukraine’s post-war rebuilding. On Thursday, Rome welcomed world leaders, policymakers, corporate investors, and civil society actors for the fourth international recovery conference dedicated to Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy inaugurated the conference at Rome’s ultra-modern “Cloud” convention center. The event gathers over 100 official delegations, 40 international organizations and development banks, and more than 2,000 businesses from across Europe and beyond.
Why Rome Matters: From Promises to Concrete Projects
Unlike previous editions in Lugano (2022), London (2023), and Berlin (2024), the Rome summit places a stronger emphasis on tangible economic partnerships. The goal is to catalyze international funding and facilitate direct investor-to-partner collaborations across key sectors: infrastructure, energy, mining, health, and defense.
“It might seem premature to talk about reconstruction while the war still rages, but the need is urgent. Planning for recovery now helps Ukraine stay resilient,” said Eleonora Tafuro Ambrosetti, a senior fellow at Italy’s Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI).
Public-Private Partnership in Action
A central feature of the summit is a sprawling business fair where Ukrainian municipal leaders, industries, and startups are pitching proposals to global investors. The Italian government has already set the tone by pledging cooperation on legal reform and healthcare aid.
Italy’s justice ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with Kyiv for penitentiary system reforms. Simultaneously, the foreign ministry announced a €30 million package to construct a new wing at Odesa’s children’s hospital, including state-of-the-art medical equipment.
The conference is designed to serve as a matchmaking platform, aligning Ukraine’s rebuilding priorities with private sector capacity.
Workshops and Panels: From Vision to Viability
Beyond keynote speeches, the summit includes technical workshops on investment risk mitigation and panel discussions on sectors critical to Ukraine’s long-term development. These include energy infrastructure, rare earth mining, metallurgy, transport networks, and domestic defense manufacturing.
“This is the first recovery conference focusing on specific industry segments and investment-ready projects,” said Alexander Temerko, a British-Ukrainian businessman and former defense official. “This time, it’s not just theory. It’s about action.”
Geopolitical Backing and European Solidarity
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish PM Donald Tusk, Dutch PM Dick Schoof, and senior ministers from other European nations are attending in person. French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are participating via videoconference in a parallel “coalition of the willing” session.
This coalition is reportedly exploring the deployment of multinational peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, should a future ceasefire agreement materialize.
Former US envoy Kurt Volker suggested that Italy’s leadership could play a vital role if it establishes a formal coordination body for Ukraine’s recovery efforts. “What’s needed is political will, not just funding. A focused structure could help align efforts globally,” he wrote in a CEPA commentary.
The Price of Rebuilding: A $524 Billion Challenge
A joint estimate by the World Bank, European Commission, and United Nations places the total recovery cost at $524 billion over the next decade. The figure includes not only reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure but also modernization of institutions and systems necessary for Ukraine’s long-term stability and potential EU accession.
Public money alone cannot meet this colossal need, experts warn. Hence, the Rome summit’s focus on facilitating private investment through legal guarantees and project transparency.
US Support Under Scrutiny
Meanwhile, questions linger over Washington’s continued military and economic backing of Ukraine. Though former President Donald Trump recently expressed support for sending more weapons, reports suggest tension within the Pentagon and uncertainty over long-term commitment.
Analysts believe that the credibility of the “coalition of the willing” rests heavily on U.S. involvement — particularly in terms of air support, logistics, and enforcement of any future peace framework.
Looking Ahead: From Conferences to Commitment
As war continues to test Ukraine’s resilience, the Rome summit signals an important evolution: from rhetorical support to actionable commitment. With tangible investments on the table, coordination mechanisms proposed, and thousands of stakeholders engaged, the international community is demonstrating that Ukraine’s reconstruction cannot wait for peace — it must begin now.
