Euroviews. Green recovery in Ukraine is a strategic imperative for the European Union

Two years of brutal, full-scale invasion by Russia has inflicted severe environmental damage on Ukraine, impacting the country's rich biodiversity, contaminating land and water resources, and posing a direct threat to public health and safety. 

Addressing these challenges is crucial for the environment, but also for the long-term peace, stability, and health of the European continent.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his 10-point Peace Plan, has rightly highlighted the immediate protection of the environment as a precondition for a just and lasting peace. 

It is remarkable how committed Ukraine is to mitigating the long-term environmental impact of the war as much as possible.

A High-Level Working Group recently formulated a possible way forward in a document titled "An Environmental Compact for Ukraine." The document brings a comprehensive set of recommendations and lays out a roadmap for Ukraine's environmental recovery, highlighting the intertwined fates of ecological sustainability and regional stability. 

The EU has a fundamental role to play in this and it can demonstrate its commitment to environmental stewardship and strategic geopolitical engagement by supporting Ukraine in these efforts.

Next week, the European Parliament is expected to approve the long-waited €50-billion support mechanism for Ukraine. With proper implementation, the multi-year Ukraine Facility can serve as a model on how to address environmental destruction caused by war and support sustainable recovery. 

At its best, the Ukraine Facility can help to set Ukraine on a path to a green, net-zero economy. Supporting Ukraine's transition to a green economy is a chance for the EU to foster innovation, green technology, and sustainable practices in a