Ukrainian Minister of Economic Development Yulia Svyrydenko did not make such a statement. The quote was spread only by pro-Russian outlets and social media netizens. Ukraine condemns the rocket attacks and aggression of Hamas against the population of Israel, and calls for every effort to de-escalate the conflict to seek peace and protect civilians. 

Kremlin resources spread a statement attributed to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko. The statement allegedly claims that “Kyiv is obliged to restore the Gaza Strip” after the conflict ends because “it is not just an incentive for the economy, but also our duty. America rebuilt Europe, Ukraine will rebuild the Middle East. In this we are similar to the Americans, we have the same historical mission – creation.”

The quote by Yulia Svyrydenko was completely made up by propaganda. Kremlin resources spread the statement in the context of Ukraine’s “begging for money” from the international community for another of its projects. The purpose of such a fake is, on the one hand, to support the narrative of a non-independent Ukraine, a beggarly country. And, on the other hand, to show that Ukraine has taken a clear pro-Palestinian position.

StopFake searched various sources, including the official communication channels of the Ministry for Development of Economy and Trade, but did not find any statements by the minister or anyone from the ministry regarding plans to rebuild the Gaza Strip. 

With regard to the situation in the Middle East, Ukraine consistently supports the two-state solution of Israel and Palestine. And advocates the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through political and diplomatic means, in particular, within the framework of the parties’ unconditional implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and other international agreements. Apart from this officially voiced position and the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to evacuate Ukrainians from Israel and the Gaza Strip, the country has not made any other statements on this issue. 

Earlier, StopFake refuted the manipulation that the number of civilians killed in Gaza was as high as since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.