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Foreign Minister Tsahkna: The security agreement reaffirms Estonia's continued and unwavering support to Ukraine

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

27.06.2024

Today 27 June, the agreement of Estonia and Ukraine on security assistance and long-term support was signed, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs leading the drafting process, and Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said it reaffirmed Estonia's continued commitment to helping Ukraine to victory.

"Ukraine is fighting for the sovereignty of its state but also the peace and long-term security of the entire Euro-Atlantic region, which is why the Ukrainians need our comprehensive support," Tsahkna said. "In the security agreement, we are affirming that Estonia's support remains unwavering and that military aid would continue to focus on Ukraine's most critical needs in the coming years."

The agreement was signed by Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels today.

The development of the agreement was led by the Foreign Ministry of Estonia and the Office of the President of Ukraine, and it is centred on defence and security cooperation but also addresses broader issues, such as Ukraine's integration into the European Union and NATO, continued sanctions on Russia, compensating the damage caused to Ukraine with the aggression, development cooperation with Ukraine, and reconstruction and cooperation on civilian protection.

The government of Estonia has set the target of allocating 0.25% of GDP for military aid to Ukraine every year over the next four years and this objective is reaffirmed with the security agreement.

"For a better planning of its actions in countering Russia's aggression, it is crucial that Ukraine is sure of the long-term support of its partners. The more countries sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine, the stronger the message we are sending to Russia that the support of Ukraine's partners is long-term and unwavering," Tsahkna said.

"Bilateral security agreements do not replace NATO membership, which is the only functioning security guarantee, but they do support Ukraine on its NATO accession path," Tsahkna said, reaffirming that Ukraine belonged under the protective umbrella of NATO.

Minister Tsahkna also welcomed the fact that the security agreement between the European Union and Ukraine was signed today. "The European Union thereby affirms its long-term commitment to supporting Ukraine's security. Estonia has been one of the most active advocates of this policy."

The process of bilateral agreements is the result of a joint declaration of the G7 signed on 12 July last year, aimed at ensuring sustained political, military, financial and economic assistance to Ukraine, and contributing to the compensation of damage caused by Russia's aggression. In addition to G7 states, Ukraine also takes on responsibilities in the joint statement.

32 countries and the European Union have joined the statement by now, and Ukraine has signed bilateral agreements with nearly 20 countries and negotiations with several countries are underway. Estonia joined the declaration alongside Latvia and Lithuania on 17 August last year. Negotiations for the security agreement between Estonia and Ukraine began on 19 March this year, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs leading the process.

Estonia is not taking on any new financial responsibilities with the agreement and it is based on the Estonian government's existing decisions on comprehensive support to Ukraine. The agreement is in force for 10 years.

The text of the agreement between Estonia and Ukraine is available on the website of the Government of Estonia.