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Foreign Minister Tsahkna in Ukraine: there is no free Europe without a free Ukraine

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

04.06.2024

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna was in Ukraine from 1 to 3 June and met with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanyshyna and Deputy Prime Minister for Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov. In cooperation with the Olena Zelenska Foundation and ESTDEV, a family home for a nine-member foster family was opened in Zhytomyr. The cornerstones for two family homes to be built by Estonia were also laid.

The meeting with Foreign Minister Kuleba focused on continued comprehensive support for Ukraine, with Kuleba thanking Estonia for its unwavering support. "For Ukrainians, winning the war and rebuilding Ukraine are paramount," Tsahkna underlined. "There are several Estonian projects underway in Zhytomyr and Estonia's support for reconstruction in Ukraine is long-term. I also told my Ukrainian counterpart about Estonia's €400 000 contribution to the energy support fund for Ukraine."

His meeting with Prosecutor General Kostin covered holding Russia's leadership to account and using frozen assets to rebuild Ukraine. "It is obvious that Russia's leadership must be punished for the terror that Ukrainians are witnessing every day," Tsahkna said. "Ukrainians recognised us for adopting the law on frozen assets and together we hope to see quick progress on this issue in the G7 and the European Union."

Discussions with Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanyshyna mainly covered Ukraine's European integration and NATO accession. "We are expecting a clear message about Ukraine's NATO accession from the Washington summit. We cannot get bogged down because Ukraine needs prompt decisions. The same applies for European Union accession - Ukraine has taken all the necessary steps and met all criteria, while fighting a military invasion at the same time," Tsahkna emphasised.

His meeting with Minister for Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov focused on the Tallinn Mechanism.

On the International Day for Protection of Children, Tsahkna joined ESTDEV and the foundation of Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska to formally open a family home.

The foreign minister placed a cornerstone for the next two family homes that will be completed and presented to the families this Christmas. "Supporting children who have suffered in the war is our priority because these children have paid the highest price - they have lost their parents, their home and their childhood." The family homes are Estonia's third reconstruction project in rebuilding Ukraine.