President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy participated as a guest at the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) Summit held in Tallinn. The countries of the region have supported Ukraine since the beginning of the war and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing that support. The leaders agreed to make better use of the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine and of Ukraine’s defence industry innovation experience to strengthen national defence capabilities. They also agreed to deepen regional competitiveness, support business growth, and promote joint artificial intelligence and technology projects.
In a joint statement, the prime ministers of the NB8 countries emphasized that they will continue supporting Ukraine until a just and lasting peace is achieved. Ukraine’s place is in the European Union, and NATO membership must remain on the table as the strongest security guarantee.
“Supporting Ukraine is a clear priority of Estonia’s NB8 chairmanship. Ukraine is not only defending itself, but also making all of Europe safer,” said Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
The NB8 countries aim to strengthen long-term cooperation with Ukraine’s defence industry and technology sector. The goal is to increase production, accelerate innovation, and apply the knowledge gained from Ukraine’s wartime experience to strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities, including in the fields of air defence, drones, and ammunition.
Europe’s security future will be determined together with Ukraine. The NB8’s objective is to achieve a just and lasting peace and to send a clear message that Russia will not win this war. Nor will Russia be allowed to destabilize our societies or intimidate us.
“Russia hopes that we will give in, but we will not,” emphasized Kristen Michal.
French President Emmanuel Macron joined the security discussion via video link.
Artificial Intelligence, Capital, and Innovation
The prime ministers concluded that the NB8 region has the potential to become Europe’s best place to establish businesses, invest, and innovate.
Closer cooperation in artificial intelligence, capital markets, and defence innovation will help create a region where data, knowledge, and investments move more freely across borders and where companies can grow more effectively. The region’s combined economy amounts to nearly €2 trillion, while economic activity between the countries reaches approximately €375 billion, and this potential must be fully utilized.
“Artificial intelligence and digital technology have become key factors in economic competitiveness and societal resilience. Success depends on how quickly we can adopt new solutions and turn them into success stories. The experience of the war in Ukraine shows that innovation cycles have shortened from years to weeks. This new reality requires us to act faster and more flexibly in order to create better growth opportunities for businesses,” said Kristen Michal.
The discussion highlighted the need to make cross-border service provision as simple as operating in a domestic market, to develop a common capital market, improve energy and transport connections, and enhance the security of digital solutions.
Bilateral Meeting Between Michal and Zelenskyy
During the NB8 Summit, Prime Minister Kristen Michal also held a bilateral meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian President presented Michal with the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, Second Class, which had been awarded to him in February.
During the meeting, Estonia and Ukraine signed a Declaration on Enhanced Security and Defence Cooperation.
“We want to take our partnership to a new level by exchanging experience, cooperating more closely in the defense industry sector, and working together to develop Europe’s multilayered air defence system,” said Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
The NB8 cooperation format includes Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland.