The prime minister will use a London summit to call on investors to match Ukraine’s “bravery on the battlefield” by stepping up support for the country’s economic recovery.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend virtually and both European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken are expected to speak in the opening session.

Rishi Sunak will say Ukraine’s economic recovery is just as important as its military strategy at the Ukraine Recovery Conference which begins on Wednesday – the largest international conference the UK will host this year.

Fears Russia is mapping undersea energy infrastructure – Ukraine live updates

The prime minister is also set to say the private sector must use its vision to “embrace rapid innovation” that can be used to make the nation “financially stronger” and “technologically advanced”, No 10 said.

He is expected to make the case for greater innovation targeted at Ukraine, which was becoming a major player in the global IT industry prior to the Russian invasion.

No 10 said one example of such an approach which is expected to be announced at the summit is a digital platform that will connect Ukrainian businesses with global companies.

Hounslow: Four people found dead in west London flat named

Partygate: Conservative Party staff filmed drinking and dancing during COVID lockdown

Thousands march in London in support of woman jailed for taking abortion pills after legal limit

The match-making platform is aimed at supporting Ukraine’s recovery through virtual networking and collaboration on matters such as supply chain issues and business expansion.

The UK will also use the summit to launch a £10m “green energy challenge” fund aimed at speeding up the development of low-carbon, affordable energy projects for Ukraine.

More than 1,000 foreign dignitaries from 61 states along with business chiefs and global investors will join Mr Sunak at the conference.

Read more:
Analysis: Wagner boss may recognise his influence is on the wane
Zelenskyy urges African leaders to ask Putin to liberate political prisoners

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Mr Sunak is expected to say: “Ukraine’s bravery on the battlefield must be matched by the vision of the private sector to help the country rebuild and recover. Time and time again, Ukraine has shown its ability to rapidly harness innovation and creativity, and I know its recovery will be no different.

“The illegal invasion of Ukraine has devastated businesses and livelihoods throughout the country, but it has not destroyed the ingenuity or determination of the Ukrainian people.

“A financially stronger, technologically advanced Ukraine will bolster its ability to drive Russia back behind its borders and build a brighter future for a sovereign and modern Ukraine of the future.”

Related posts:

‘They just need to get that into their heads’: PM sends EU message over Northern Ireland row ‘What about Corsica in France?’ – Raab attacks EU leaders ‘who see N Ireland as different to UK’ Sunak spooked aid rebels, and acquired a significant new political weapon in the process MP wells up in Commons as she describes difficulties for nephew with Down’s syndrome Wallace: UK govt will send more weapons to Ukraine Public sector pay rises – who decides and how? Parts of Labour Party treated antisemitism as ‘factional weapon’, long-awaited report finds Labour MP’s bank account targeted by scammers three times in three weeks ‘We want to get a grip’: Minister ‘not happy’ over conditions at migrant centre Months of political turmoil have ‘upset’ me – and MPs need to get back to their day job, Speaker tells Sky News The problems of peers in politics – what is the House of Lords? UK tech firms at ‘serious risk’ from Silicon Valley Bank collapse, warns chancellor