On July 10, 2023, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Estonia, Maksym Kononenko, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia, Margus Tsahkna.

The focus of the meeting was on deepening cooperation between the foreign affairs ministries of Ukraine and Estonia, comprehensive assistance from Estonia to our country in the fight against ongoing full-scale Russian aggression, holding accountable individuals involved in the crime of aggression and other international crimes committed by Russian occupiers on the territory of Ukraine, as well as supporting our State on the path of European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

Ambassador of Ukraine Maksym Kononenko thanked the head of the Estonian foreign affairs department for unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and assistance to our country in the fight against full-scale Russian aggression. During the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna confirmed that Estonia will continue to provide comprehensive support to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression until the war is won: “We have supported Ukraine politically, economically, and militarily, provided necessary humanitarian aid, and have already started the reconstruction of war-affected objects, focusing on civilian facilities and infrastructure.” The parties agreed on the need to introduce new, even more stringent sanctions against Russia. In this context, Margus Tsahkna spoke about Estonia’s preparations for making amendments to the national legislation regarding the use of frozen assets to compel Russia to compensate for the damages inflicted on Ukraine.

The parties particularly emphasized the importance of holding accountable individuals involved in the crime of aggression and other international crimes committed by occupiers on the territory of Ukraine. In this regard the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia emphasized: “We cannot allow Putin and the rest of the Russian leadership to hide under the immunity from the horrors committed in Ukraine. The moral duty of the West is to bring to an international tribunal those responsible for what has happened in Ukraine.”

Special attention was given to the issue of bilateral cooperation in the European integration and Euro-Atlantic sphere. Ambassador of Ukraine Maksym Kononenko emphasized that Ukraine’s accession to NATO will undoubtedly contribute to the formation of a new security architecture in Europe and strengthen the Alliance, as the Armed Forces of Ukraine, formed and armed according to NATO standards, are gaining unique combat experience on a daily basis, effectively covering the Alliance on its eastern flank. Margus Tsahkna assured that Estonia will continue to support our country on its path to the European Union and NATO, stating that “Estonia's goal is to provide Ukraine with a clear agenda for NATO accession at the summit in Vilnius and reaffirm the Alliance's open-door policy.”