The Ukrainian delegation arrived in Tallinn on a working visit to participate in the official signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the State Tax Service of Ukraine and the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. The event, held on February 10, 2025, at the Nordic Hotel Forum, marked an important milestone in the development of cooperation between the tax authorities of the two countries, opening opportunities for the digitalization of tax administration, exchange of expertise, and implementation of European standards in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian delegation included Head of the State Tax Service of Ukraine Ruslan Kravchenko, his Deputy Lesia Karnaukh, as well as heads of departments responsible for international cooperation, economic analysis, and the digitalization of tax processes. On behalf of the Estonian government, the event was attended by Director General of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board Raigo Uukkivi, and representatives of the Estonian Development Cooperation Agency (ESTDEV). Ambassador of Ukraine to Estonia Maksym Kononenko also participated in the signing ceremony and the joint meeting.
The event commenced with welcoming speeches from high-ranking officials. The first speaker was Director General of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board Raigo Uukkivi, who emphasized the strategic importance of cooperation between the tax authorities of the two countries. This was followed by a speech from Head of the State Tax Service of Ukraine Ruslan Kravchenko, who highlighted the significance of digital transformations and noted that the joint project with Estonian partners would serve as a powerful impetus for the development of Ukraine’s tax system. ESTDEV representative Eva-Maria Läimets underscored the role of international partners in supporting Ukraine’s digitalization efforts and its integration into the European economic space.
Ambassador of Ukraine to Estonia Maksym Kononenko, opened his speech by reminding the audience of the ongoing war in Ukraine: "We are approaching the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, yet Ukrainians continue to fight—not only on the battlefield but also for the future of their country. Under such circumstances, discussing economic matters and reforms may seem difficult. However, that is not the case. Now, more than ever, we need to strengthen the resilience of our state institutions, reinforce the financial system, and create conditions for post-war recovery. War is a challenge, but it is also an opportunity for transformation, an opportunity to implement modern digital solutions and integrate into the European economic space."
The Ambassador emphasized that this Memorandum is more than just a technical document—it symbolizes international support and the strategic partnership between Ukraine and Estonia. He expressed gratitude to the Estonian colleagues for their assistance and willingness to share best practices in digital tax administration.
Following the speeches, the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding took place, followed by a joint meeting during which the Ukrainian and Estonian sides presented their tax systems and outlined the next steps in the implementation of the signed agreement.