The two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference wrapped up in Rome on Friday, but the vision of rebuilding the war-torn country remains largely theoretical amid the absence of a ceasefire.
Co-hosted by Italy and Ukraine, the conference brought together top European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as representatives from Germany, Poland, Greece, Albania, and a U.S. special envoy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the forum on Thursday, urging the international community to strengthen sanctions against Russia and boost support for Ukraine’s eventual reconstruction. He highlighted growing drone and missile attacks on Kyiv, underlining the need for external investment not only for recovery but also for enhancing Ukraine’s defences.
Zelenskyy also met with U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg on Wednesday in Rome, where the two discussed military aid and the urgent need for improved air defence systems. Their meeting came as Ukrainian cities continued to suffer under relentless Russian aerial assaults.
Earlier this month, Politico reported that the United States had paused shipments of key air defence munitions to Ukraine due to concerns about dwindling domestic stockpiles. However, Zelenskyy announced on Friday that U.S. military assistance had resumed, though its long-term continuity remains uncertain amid Washington’s shifting priorities and its ongoing reluctance to extend NATO membership to Ukraine.
These realities present significant hurdles to Ukraine’s reconstruction ambitions, with recovery plans heavily dependent on the outcome of the ongoing conflict.
A joint report by the Ukrainian government, World Bank Group, European Commission, and United Nations estimates that rebuilding Ukraine over the next decade will cost around $524 billion.
During the conference, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said participating countries pledged a combined 10 billion euros (approximately $11.7 billion) to stimulate investment in Ukraine. The European Commission also unveiled a new 2.3 billion euro funding package, involving agreements with international and bilateral financial institutions, to support recovery initiatives.
While the conference showcased investment potential across various sectors—including energy, mining, and defence—some raised concerns over the possible exploitation of Ukraine’s natural and industrial resources under the guise of foreign investment.
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Leaders of countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have agreed to hold coordinated population censuses around 2030. They took the decision at the CIS Council of Heads of State meeting in Awaza, Turkmenistan on Friday, media reported.
Britain and Israel have reached a temporary compromise over the future of the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem, easing a diplomatic dispute that had threatened to further strain relations between the two countries.
South African judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday “for her efforts to promote peace and international law,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday (9 October) escalating tensions with European allies and potentially targeting companies that provide services to the tribunal. The move came hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sharply criticised the United States following a series of Russian attacks that killed more than 70 people over two days, arguing that Washington is not doing enough to help Kyiv counter Moscow's continued assault.
Indian police detained more than 2,000 protesters in Delhi on Saturday as authorities blocked a planned demonstration calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over disputed changes to voter lists.
At least 12 people, including three children, have been killed in a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a deal to ease sanctions on Russian diesel.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports, questioning why Moscow was granted an economic benefit without an apparent concession towards ending the war in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed surprise after Donald Trump mediated the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement in 2025, the U.S. President said at a rally in New York state on Friday.
The United Nations has condemned a sharp rise in attacks on civilians in Ukraine, reporting that more than 100 people were killed and at least 429 injured in a single week as Russian strikes hit residential areas, passenger buses and critical infrastructure.
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