We do not have the option to get tired. It is a losing game to build your strategy upon pessimism. Instead, we must continue to set Ukraine’s victory as the goal and believe in it. For that, we must keep up international assistance to Ukraine not only in larger volumes, but also for the long-term. Ukraine must be able to resist the aggressor, both by fighting on the battlefield and by keeping its state and economy running.
As we know, Ukraine’s needs for reconstruction are enormous, and Ukraine should not and cannot do it alone. Our message has been clear: ultimately, Russia has to pay for the damages it has caused. That’s not only a moral but also a legal imperative. Estonia’s Parliament recently passed a law allowing the use of Russia’s frozen assets for Ukraine. Hopefully it inspires more to follow.
Estonia has committed a total of 1.2 billion euros of assistance to Ukraine from the start of the war until 2027. This includes 316 million for civilian assistance and 900 million for military assistance.
Our experience shows that reconstruction is possible already during the war. We were the first to choose a focus region – the Zhytomyr Oblast – for reconstruction efforts already in 2022. We have not only invested in brick and mortar but have worked with our Ukrainian partners on future-oriented and sustainable solutions, in line with EU standards. To bring just one example, we are building modern foster family homes and modernising the social system at the same time. The first such family home was handed over recently.
Coordination with international partners is key for successful recovery. With other donors, Estonia has been driving international cybersecurity support to Ukraine through the Tallinn Mechanism and IT-Coalition platforms. With our international partners, we are also looking into ways to support Ukraine in the maritime sector. In all of this, involving the private sector and civil society has been crucial.
We all have a lot to learn from Ukraine’s resilience and courage. Ukrainians have proved the ability to implement reforms fast and efficiently. This led to the EU’s historical decision to open accession negotiations. This determination will help Ukraine achieve its goals - winning the war and rebuilding its country, becoming a member of the EU and NATO. It is the duty of all of us to support Ukrainians on these paths.
I am glad that today’s conference will deliver tangible outcomes and investments to Ukraine. And I am pleased to announce that Estonia has committed to join the coalitions and initiatives proposed by the conference. Today we all make a tangible commitment to Ukraine’s victory.
Thank you!
