On June 4, 2025, a meeting of the Ukraine Support Group — an informal coordination platform of Ukraine’s partners — took place in the city of Saue, on the premises of the Harmet OÜ plant. The initiative was launched by the Embassy of Ukraine In Estonia, in cooperation with the Embassies of Poland and the Czech Republic, in response to Russia’s full-scale aggression. The event was organized with the support of the Embassy of Ukraine in Estonia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, and was held with the personal participation of the Ambassador of Ukraine to Estonia, Mr. Maksym Kononenko, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia and Special Representative for Ukraine, Ms. Marin Ratnik.
This meeting marked the fifth gathering in the Ukraine Support Group (USG) format — previous meetings were chaired by Poland, the United States, France, and Lithuania — and focused on practical aspects of international support for Ukraine, with special emphasis on post-war recovery and sustainable development.
In their opening remarks, Ambassador Kononenko and Ms. Ratnik stressed the importance of strategic coordination among partners to enhance support for Ukraine.
"Help Estonia help Ukraine" — these words, spoken today, resonate more than ever. “Our shared task is to make support more effective, coordinated, and visible,” emphasized Ambassador Kononenko.
“Our job is to give hope to the Ukrainian people and to remind them: they are not alone. Estonia will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” underlined Ms. Ratnik.
During the event, successful reconstruction projects implemented by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), in cooperation with local companies, were presented. In particular, the following speakers shared their experiences:
Mr. Margus Gering, Regional Director of ESTDEV, presented a comprehensive strategy for reconstruction and strengthening the capacity of communities in Ukraine.
Mr. Alo Tamm (Harmet OÜ) and Ms. Anneli Käänd (KMT Prefab) spoke about innovative approaches to modular construction and showcased completed projects, including kindergartens, residential buildings, and infrastructure facilities.
“Infrastructure creates opportunities, but it is people who drive change,” emphasized Mr. Gering.
“We cannot change the past, but together we are helping Ukraine build a better future,” noted the KMT Prefab representative.
More than 30 ambassadors and representatives of partner countries took part in the meeting. They also had the opportunity to tour the Harmet production facilities and engage in informal discussions over lunch featuring Ukrainian cuisine.
The Ukraine Support Group meeting once again reaffirmed the importance of coordinated international support for Ukraine. This format continues to evolve as a flexible tool of practical solidarity, uniting governments, businesses, and civil society on the path to Victory.