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Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna is on a visit to Odesa with Nordic and Baltic foreign ministers

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

28.04.2023

Today 28 April, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna was on a visit to Odesa with NB8 foreign ministers from Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland to show support for Ukraine on its path to NATO and the European Union, and highlight the importance of providing continued military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

During the visit, the ministers met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Tsahkna said it was important for the West to not become tired of supporting Ukraine and not view the fight of Ukrainians against Russia, which has continued for more than a year, as something routine. "Every minute, Ukrainians are shedding blood for the freedom of us all, and we must offer Ukraine every assistance. Ukraine is in urgent need of ammunition. On Estonia's initiative, the EU decided to donate 1 million rounds of 155 mm ammunition to Ukraine. The government of Estonia adopted a decision on the Estonian share of this programme last week and I call on all other member states to do the same."

Estonian Foreign Minister Tsahkna reaffirmed Estonia's readiness to offer full support to Ukraine in accession talks. "The position of Estonia and our allies has not changed since the start of the war - Ukraine must win the war and we, the West, must avoid fatigue in supporting Ukraine. Ukraine's NATO and European Union membership is essential for European security," Foreign Minister Tsahkna said. He also underlined that Estonia fully supported the creation of an international special tribunal that would make it possible to hold Russian leadership to account for the crime of aggression in Ukraine.

The ministers also visited the trade port of Odesa, one of the largest export hubs in Ukraine. "Russia's aggression, which has hindered grain and food exports from Ukraine, has considerably affected food security, and is increasing global hunger and suffering. This is why it is crucial to help facilitate grain and food exports from Ukraine, including through Ukrainian ports," the Estonian foreign minister said.

The foreign ministers attended the Odesa Reconstruction Forum and Foreign Minister Tsahkna presented Estonia's proposal for hosting the 2025 Ukraine reconstruction forum in Tallinn as a way of highlighting the importance of international cooperation in Ukraine's reconstruction. They also visited the central square in the historic centre of Odesa, which was added to UNESCO's list of intangible heritage early this year.

The aim of the joint NB8 visits is to show the common political support of the Baltic States and Nordic countries to Ukraine on the international arena. The last joint visit was made in November 2022 on the initiative of Estonia's previous foreign minister.