Rome Recovery Conference Faces 'Surreal' Label as Ukraine Endures Over 1,100 Daily Russian Strikes

Rome, Italy – An international conference convened in Rome on Thursday, July 10, 2025, to discuss Ukraine's recovery efforts has been widely characterized as "surreal" by observers, including Bloomberg Opinion columnist Marc Champion. The gathering, intended to focus on post-war reconstruction, unfolded amidst a dramatic escalation of Russian aggression, with Ukraine enduring over 1,100 long-range drone and missile strikes in the preceding days. Champion, in his column, asserted that "What's needed is a rescue conference," underscoring a critical disconnect between the conference's agenda and the immediate realities on the ground.

The stark contrast between the conference's theme of "recovery" and Ukraine's ongoing military plight highlights a growing concern among some international figures. Russia's intensified aerial bombardment, including more than 730 long-range drones and missiles on Tuesday alone, followed by an additional 400-plus overnight, signifies a worsening security situation. This relentless assault, coupled with continued Russian territorial gains, suggests Ukraine is far from a recovery phase, instead requiring urgent "rescue" measures.

The sentiment of urgency is compounded by what many perceive as faltering international support. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, addressing the conference, directly appealed to US President Donald Trump, urging him to "Stay with us," reflecting anxieties over reduced American aid. Keith Kellogg, Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, echoed this concern, stating emotionally that "the killing has to stop" and emphasizing that "you can’t quit" on Ukraine. These pleas underscore the critical need for sustained and robust international backing.

Despite the immense needs, financial contributions from many Western nations remain modest. Most countries have allocated less than 1% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to aid Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Specifically, Germany and Italy have contributed approximately 0.4% of their GDP, while the U.S. stands at 0.56%. This is in sharp contrast to Ukraine's defense industry, which possesses the capacity to produce $35 billion worth of arms but operates with a budget of only $12 billion, leaving a significant gap in essential military supplies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking from Rome, reiterated the immediate need for more air defense systems. The prevailing call from critical analysts like Marc Champion is for international efforts to prioritize security and defense, shifting the narrative from "as long as it takes" to "as fast as possible." This perspective argues that without first ensuring Ukraine's immediate security and defense capabilities, discussions of long-term recovery remain premature and ineffective.