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Undersecretary Sillaste-Elling in Ukraine: Estonia is actively supporting Ukraine on its path to the European Union and NATO

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

13.09.2023

This week, Undersecretary for Political Affairs Kyllike Sillaste-Elling was on a visit to Kyiv, and on 11 September, she met with Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis, Deputy Director General of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva, Director General of the Government's Office for Europe and Euro-Atlantic Integration Oleksandr Ilkov, Head of the European Affairs Committee of the Verkhovna Rada Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze and other Ukrainian officials.

Undersecretary Kyllike Sillaste-Elling assured her Ukrainian colleagues that Estonia supported Ukraine's reforms and European Union and NATO accession process. "We hope that the homework Ukraine has completed will be duly recognised in October by the European Commission, and this will allow EU member states to decide in December on the launch of accession negotiations with Ukraine." Estonia will continue training Ukrainian officials in European integration to offer necessary support and experiences in the accession process.

Discussions also covered next steps on Ukraine's path to NATO membership following the Vilnius summit. Sillaste-Elling said only joining NATO can provide a security guarantee that would truly deter Russia.

Sillaste-Elling also spoke to the Ukrainian side about rallying support for President Zelensky's peace formula. Estonia is actively participating in discussions and is helping to include global partners in finding solutions. "There is only one peace plan and it is the 10-point proposal put forward by President Zelensky, aimed at restoring the territorial integrity of Ukraine. It is crucial for Ukraine to have the initiative on peace and for Ukraine to lead these discussions," Sillaste-Elling said.

The meetings also touched on the creation of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression, which would be able to hold Russian leadership to account.