The introduction of a free economic zone in Donbas will help attract investment to the region and end the war. This was emphasized by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the interview "Autumn 2020: Victories and Challenges" for four Ukrainian TV channels.
"I have a feeling that big money will come there capable of doing everything to make Donbas grow. And it will have a big impact on people living in the temporarily occupied territories. They will see that it is better to live in a free Ukraine," the Head of State said.
The President noted that important infrastructure projects are being implemented in Donbas already today.
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the main issue that worries potential investors concerns the security situation in Donbas.
"The regime of “silence” works. And there is already a large safe area today," he said.
The Head of State reminded that the idea of creating a free economic zone in Donbas was discussed with investors during a business forum in Mariupol last year. According to him, business needs a signal - investing in Ukraine, in particular in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, is safe.
At the same time, the President stressed that the possibility of introducing a free economic zone does not apply to the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas.
"It is currently impossible to introduce a free economic zone in the occupied territories. No one will do it. It will take place when the deoccupation takes place, when we control the border and our territory, when all the troops are withdrawn there," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
He also added that many regions of Ukraine, which also need investment, are peaceful and safe. This is what he seeks to demonstrate by inviting foreign leaders to visit with him this or that region of our country.
"I want to show them how different Ukraine is - in Odesa, Vinnytsia, Western Ukraine and especially - in Donbas. I really need them to see that there is a large safe territory," the President noted.