Estonian defmin in Kyiv: Ukraine can defend itself if we give it the opportunity

TALLINN - Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur was on a visit to Kyiv, where he underscored that Ukraine can defend itself if it is given the opportunity.

Pevkur met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Minister of Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin, and visited defense industry companies.

"Nov. 19 will mark 1,000 days since Russia launched its full-scale war of aggression. Ukrainians have proven they can defend themselves, but we must give them the opportunity to do so by providing sufficient military support. Estonia's commitment is unwavering, and Estonia plans to launch an annual, competitive support measure for Estonian companies to donate their production to Ukraine. This strengthens not only Ukraine but also our own security and economy," said Pevkur.

"Ukraine has faced setbacks in the war due to delays in Western military aid, shortages of ammunition and weaponry, and restrictions imposed by allies. The long-term 40 billion euro support package for Ukraine agreed upon at the Washington summit is a positive step, but it needs to be implemented effectively," he added.

As of September 2024, Estonia has provided Ukraine with military aid worth approximately 516 million euros, or about 1.4 percent of its GDP, making Estonia one of the top supporters globally in relation to population and GDP.

Since the start of Russia's full-scale war, Estonia has also trained more than 1,500 Ukrainian servicemen both domestically and abroad.

An IT coalition was established in 2023 under the leadership of Estonia and Luxembourg to support the creation of secure, NATO-standard ICT infrastructure for the Ukrainian armed forces.