Tsahkna to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees: the humanitarian situation in Ukraine must stay in our focus
Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
18.09.2024
Today 18 September, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna met with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi in Tallinn, discussing ways to advance bilateral cooperation, including in Ukraine, and the global humanitarian situation in general.
At the meeting, Foreign Minister Tsahkna underlined the continued need to support Ukraine in light of the increasingly complicated humanitarian situation in the world. "Russia continues its daily destruction of Ukraine's civilian infrastructure. Since Russia has destroyed more than 80% of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, our winterisation assistance must include helping Ukraine restore its energy infrastructure, as well as humanitarian demining and coping with the impact of the war," Tsahkna said.
Speaking about providing humanitarian aid in Ukraine and other conflict zones, Tsahkna said Estonia would continue its contributions as a global humanitarian donor. "Estonia has admitted more than 30 000 war refugees from Ukraine, and supported them with education and employment. Estonia has also been an important partner in upholding humanitarian principles," he added. For his part, High Commissioner Grandi thanked Estonia for its continued assistance and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
The meeting also covered the good cooperation between Estonia and the UNHCR. In addition to excellent cooperation spanning years, discussions explored ways of boosting the partnership between Estonia and the UNHCR and expanding joint activities mainly in Ukraine but also on digital affairs.
It was the first visit to Estonia by the High Commissioner.
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