On March 1st, 2024 Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Estonia Maksym Kononenko, on behalf of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, awarded the Order "For Merit" of the 2nd Class to Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson.

Marko Mihkelson spent hundreds of hours on trains and planes to visit the front line, support Ukrainian defenders who are fighting for freedom and independence, to be inspired by their spirit, and to pass it on, energizing fellow parliamentarians who may not fully grasp the importance of supporting Ukraine. Thousands of interviews and comments to clarify to Estonians, Europeans, and the world what is happening and whose side truth is on. Countless meetings with decision-makers to make decisions to provide Ukraine with weapons and ammunition, to support it financially and with humanitarian aid, to stop the aggressor with sanctions, punish it for its crimes, and make it pay for the damage.

In his speech, Ambassador Maksym Kononenko noted, "It's impossible to measure Marko's merits, as meetings, conversations, and texts weigh so little but mean so much. It's impossible to measure the efforts Marko has put in to help Ukraine. People have not yet invented such a device. It is impossible to compensate for his moral and physical losses, as there is no equivalent for the time, health, and strength expended in advocating for Ukraine. Instead, we can and should recognize his merits, honor his contribution, and publicly thank him for all that has been done. This is exactly what President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy did when he awarded Marko Mihkelson the Order "For Merit" of the 2nd Class.”

The award ceremony took place at the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Estonia in the presence of Marko's family, politicians, journalists, businessmen, as well as representatives of the Ukrainian community - the Congress of Ukrainians in Estonia and the Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Estonia.