During a two-day visit, Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur confirmed to Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal that Estonia will continue to provide military support to Ukraine next year, similar to this year, with at least 0.25 percent of gross domestic product, or more than 100 million euros, the vast majority of which will be directed to supporting Ukraine with the production of Estonian companies.
“Estonia will continue to resolutely support Ukraine in its war of aggression against Russia. Next year, we will also adhere to the principle that 0.25% of our GDP will go to Ukraine. We will proceed from Ukraine’s military needs, and next year, Estonian defense industry companies will also play a leading role. In addition, we will continue to train Ukrainians and support IT solutions in the Ukrainian defense sector,” said Minister of Defense Pevkur.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
Photo: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
The defense ministers also discussed recent events in Poland. “The violation of the Polish and NATO airspace on such a scale is unprecedented and unacceptable – Russia bears full responsibility for it. Our focus must remain on pressuring Russia as the aggressor and assisting Ukraine so that the aggressor ends its brutal war,” said Pevkur.
The defense minister also met with soldiers who fought on the Ukrainian front, who shared their first-hand experiences from the battlefield and emphasized the importance of assistance from Western partners. Pevkur also had meetings with Rustem Umerov, Secretary General of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, and Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv.
During the visit, Defense Minister Pevkur participated in discussions at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference on nuclear weapons and Ukraine’s security guarantees. During the conference, Pevkur also held talks with US Special Representative Keith Kellogg, Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, and US Congressman Jimmy Pannetta.