Paweł Jabłoński told reporters on Monday that the event would take place at the National Stadium in the Polish capital Warsaw on May 5, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
He said that with Russia’s devastating invasion of Ukraine well into its 10th week, “Ukraine’s needs remain enormous.”
Jabłoński added that between 10 million and 20 million Ukrainians needed basic supplies on a daily basis. "They need food, they need medicines, they need hygiene products,” he said.
Polish, Swedish PMs, top EU officials to lead the event
Thursday’s fundraiser, known as the High-Level International Donors’ Conference for Ukraine, will be co-hosted by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and his Swedish counterpart Magdalena Andersson, reporters were told.
The two prime ministers will be joined by the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, Jabłoński said.
Donations sought from countries
The conference is seeking donations from countries and will feature many national leaders, either in person or online, according to officials.
The Polish deputy foreign minister revealed that “at least a dozen delegations will come" to Warsaw.
“Participation will be based on early confirmation of the intention to make a substantial financial pledge in response to Ukraine’s needs,” Poland’s foreign ministry said in a statement last month.
Jabłoński said on Monday that Ukraine’s delegates would not be announced until just before the conference, “as a security precaution.”
He added that the aim of the conference was to “collect as much additional resources as possible for direct humanitarian support to Ukraine.”
Jabłoński also urged the international community to put Russia under as much pressure as possible “to stop raping, killing and torturing people.”
A previous high-profile fundraiser in Warsaw in April helped collect over EUR 10 billion for Poland’s war-torn eastern neighbour.
Monday was day 68 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, gov.pl