Zelensky asks world to cover Ukraine’s $59bn budget blackhole

New British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has assured Ukraine’s leader of his support, as Joe Biden issued a new warning over Russia’s nuclear talk.

Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the International Expert Conference on the Recovery, Reconstruction and Modernisation of Ukraine in Berlin via a video link. Picture: AFP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants the international community to cover an expected budget deficit of $US38bn ($59bn) next year for his war-torn country and battered economy.

At the UN Security Council, Moscow called for action on its claim that Ukraine was preparing to detonate a nuclear “dirty bomb” to blame on Russia.

Such a scheme is “very dangerous but will be profitable for the Zelensky regime to remain in power”, said Russia’s deputy UN ­ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy.

But Western diplomats rejected the allegation, first made on Sunday by Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.

Britain’s ambassador to the UN, James Kariuki, called it “transparently false”. “We have seen and heard no new evidence during this private meeting” of the Security Council. “Ukraine has been clear, it’s got nothing to hide.”

Meanwhile US President Joe Biden issued a new warning over Russia’s nuclear talk. “Russia would be making an incredibly ­serious mistake were it to use a tactical nuclear weapon,” he said.

But international support for Kyiv was in the balance overnight on Tuesday.

At an international reconstruction conference in Berlin, Mr Zelensky urged European leaders to offer greater financial support for his country more than eight months after Russian troops invaded.

“At this very conference we need to make a decision on assistance to cover next year’s budget deficit for Ukraine,” he said via videolink. “It’s a very significant amount of money, a $38bn deficit.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that rebuilding Ukraine required “a new Marshall Plan for the 21st century – a generational task that must begin now”.

Overnight on Tuesday, Mr Zelensky called new British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to reaffirm ties. He tweeted that the two had an “excellent conversation” and “agreed to write a new chapter in Ukraine-UK relations”.

“But the story is the same: full support in the face of Russian ­aggression,” Mr Zelensky said.

Downing St said Mr Sunak had assured Mr Zelensky of Britain’s “steadfast support”.

In Italy, new Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed the support of her far-right government for Ukraine amid worries Italy could tilt toward Moscow.

“Italy is fully part of Europe and the Western world,” Ms Meloni said in her first speech as leader.

The country would “continue to be a reliable partner of NATO in supporting Ukraine”.

But in Washington, the progressive faction of Democrats sparked turmoil when it released a letter on Monday that urged Mr Biden to seek a negotiated settlement with Russia, only to withdraw the letter the next day.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus, a group largely on the left of the party and led by Pramila Jayapal, stressed the need for a “proactive diplomatic push, redoubling efforts to seek a realistic framework for a ceasefire”.

In the face of criticism from more moderate Democrats, the letter was withdrawn, with Ms Jayapal saying it had been drafted several months ago and “released by staff without vetting”.

Coming after the Republican house leader, Kevin McCarthy, also suggested the US was giving too much money to Ukraine, the letter sparked fears that Washington’s all-important support could be weakening.

Meanwhile, Russian shelling pommeled the eastern Donbas town of Bakhmut where smoke rose from fierce battles between Russian forces and Ukraine troops trying to keep them at bay

Kyiv’s troops said they were holding back the weeks-long push by Russia’s elite Wagner force for the wine-making and salt-mining town in the Donetsk region.

The US-based Institute for the Study of War said that battlefield information indicated that Russian forces have been losing ground, with Ukrainians recapturing a cement plant on the eastern outskirts of the town.

As smoke rose through the rain over Bakhmut on Tuesday and a Ukrainian missile appeared to bring down a Russian drone, a 28-year-old soldier, who would not be identified, claimed Ukraine’s forces had made gains overnight.

Seven civilians were killed and three injured in Bakhmut a day earlier, the regional governor said.

In a residential area of the Bakhmut, blood stains could be seen on the ground in the wake of what residents said was a fatal ­attack the day before.

“I found a body here without a head. I’m in shock,” said 58-year-old Sergii, adding: “It was a man. He was just walking on the street.”

AFP