The head of government noted that the investment needed to rebuild the beleaguered country already exceeds 500 billion euros. “Ukraine cannot bear the burden of reconstruction alone,” he stated. “My message is clear: Russia, as the aggressor, must pay for the damage caused in this war. Estonia sees the use of frozen Russian assets as a source of investment in this regard.”
Prime Minister Michal also called on allies to contribute more, and more promptly, to the reconstruction of Ukraine. “Estonia has been supporting the country militarily since day one of the war, contributing at least 0.25% of GDP to it annually,” he explained. “The total aid we have given amounts to 2.6% of our GDP – making us the world leader.”
The head of government also drew attention to the importance of cybersecurity in maintaining Ukraine’s resilience. “Estonia launched the IT Coalition to strengthen cybersecurity in wartime,” he said. “Its success shows that reconstruction is possible even while war is ongoing. We need to invest not only in weapons, but also in people. The Tallinn Mechanism will help to boost cyber-support for Ukraine in the civilian sector as well. It is gratifying to see Norway joining us in this initiative.”
Prime Minister Michal says that other countries can help Ukraine win the war by working together. “In so doing, we will be helping them to rebuild their country and, ultimately, to join the EU and NATO,” he added. “We have faith in a Ukrainian victory and in their strength as a nation, which is why we are working with them to organise a conference on Ukraine’s restoration to be held in Tallinn in 2027. I invite all businesses, governments and civil society to take part.”
While in Rome, the head of government will be participating in a discussion of the Coalition of the Willing and holding bilateral meetings with a number of his counterparts in addition to attending the conference on Ukraine’s reconstruction. On Wednesday evening, he contributed to a YES Forum discussion chaired by Carl Bildt and Sanna Marin alongside Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for EU Affairs Olha Stefanishyna, US Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg and others.
Prime Minister Michal arrived in Rome from Zagreb, where he joined in opening a business forum being attended by an Estonian defence industry company, and met with his Croatian counterpart, as well as the country’s speaker of parliament and head of state.
Gallery: Ukraine Reconstruction Conference, Rome, 9 July 2025 | Flickr
