On 9 December, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met with Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal, who arrived on a working visit to Ukraine for the first time.

Security and defence was the first item on the agenda discussed by the two sides. Denys Shmyhal thanked for Estonia’s large-scale defence support, which had already reached almost EUR 542 million, or 1.4% of the country’s GDP. The Head of Ukrainian Government noted the importance of Estonia’s decision to annually allocate at least 0.25% of its GDP for the defence of Ukraine.

“Under the leadership of Estonia, a coalition of shells, an IT coalition and the Tallinn Mechanism to strengthen cyber support for Ukraine have been created. They are already working and achieving their goals,” said Denys Shmyhal.

According to him, Ukraine’s accession to the Joint Expeditionary Force in the Nordic-Baltic region is of great importance: “We are ready to actively cooperate within the framework of this alliance and strengthen the northern flank of a free Europe.”

The parties also discussed the reconstruction of Ukraine. It is worth noting that Estonia was one of the first countries to declare patronage over a particular region, Zhytomyr region, where it is already implementing a number of infrastructure projects. In addition, Estonia is involved in the development of the Ukrainian Maritime Recovery Plan and a strategy for attracting donors for its implementation.

Denys Shmyhal stressed that a mechanism for compensating Ukraine for the damage caused by russian assets was an integral part of the reconstruction of Ukraine and thanked his counterpart for developing such a mechanism at the national level.

“This has set an important European precedent. We expect that thanks to the international compensation mechanism, all immobilised russian assets will be used for the needs of Ukraine,” the Prime Minister of Ukraine stressed.

Another important aspect of cooperation between the two countries discussed was energy.

According to Denys Shmyhal, through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, Estonia has provided Ukraine with more than 140 transformers and over 300 units of energy equipment.

“The key is the contribution of EUR 400,000 to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund announced by Estonia. In the near future, Ukraine will receive a power unit from the Estonian Auvere power plant. It is capable of providing electricity to 150,000 people. We are also discussing the transfer of two more power units to Ukraine in 2025,” the Head of Ukrainian Government said.

Denys Shmyhal and Kristen Michal discussed further steps to implement the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula. The both countries will continue to work to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the world order. In particular, joint preparations are underway for the second Global Summit, which will offer a negotiating framework to end the war and achieve a just peace.

The Prime Ministers also discussed Ukraine’s European integration. Denys Shmyhal stressed the importance of Estonia’s position in the EU’s key decisions on Ukraine’s membership, as well as technical and advisory assistance.

“We also hope for solidarity in making the next European budget for 2028-2034 a budget for the great enlargement of the European Union,” the Head of Ukrainian Government said.

He thanked the Estonian people and the Government of Estonia for their solidarity with Ukraine in the difficult struggle against the russian aggressor.

Following the talks, the Prime Ministers of the two countries signed a joint statement declaring the strengthening of bilateral partnership, the determination to resist the russian aggressor, and Estonia’s unconditional political support for Ukraine on all important issues.

They also called on the EU to increase sanctions pressure on russia, impose a full trade embargo, and impose sanctions against gazprom, russian oil companies, and rosatom. The document includes an agreement to strengthen sanctions against russia’s shadow fleet and support for the Victory Plan presented by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as an invitation to Ukraine to join NATO. The joint statement emphasises Estonia’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. The document supports the continuation of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Grain from Ukraine initiative.

JOINT STATEMENT