Estonia commits additional support to Ukraine beyond military aid
Photo: Estonia to provide annual financial assistance to Ukraine for its restoration (Flickr by Shane MacClure)
In addition to allocating 0.25% of its gross domestic product (GDP) for military aid to Ukraine, Estonia will also contribute 14 million euros annually for development cooperation, says the Vice Chancellor of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mariin Ratnik.
It is noted that out of this amount, 12.8 million euros will be allocated for specific purposes to the Estonian Development Cooperation Centre, one million euros for humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and 200,000 euros to support cooperation between Estonian businesses and Ukraine.
In the latter case, the focus is mainly on establishing business contacts with Ukrainian partners.
This assistance will be provided in accordance with the long-term development cooperation strategy of Estonia approved by the government in early January, as well as the principles and action plan for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Other areas where assistance will be provided
The government has specified the sectors in which the funds allocated by Estonia can be most beneficial.
"These are the sectors where we ourselves faced challenges in the past, as we emerged from the same society from which Ukraine is trying to break free: reforming the education system, developing the healthcare system, and digital and cyber solutions," said Ratnik.
Furthermore, Ukraine requires assistance in various aspects of real construction, which Estonia is prepared to provide. In addition to material support, Estonia will offer Ukraine support in implementing new and more efficient systems and processes.
As an example, Ratnik mentioned a kindergarten in Zhytomyr built with innovative spatial solutions new to Ukraine, accompanied by appropriate training for educators and teachers.
Assistance to Ukraine in Eurointegration process
The publication states that considering the commencement of negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the EU, Estonia will also be able to share its own experience in this process, including obtaining and utilizing subsidies from EU funds.
Ratnik emphasized that the post-war reconstruction costs for Ukraine are estimated at 400 billion euros, and such funds can only be allocated by major donors such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the European Investment Bank.
Estonian aid to Ukraine
Prime Minister Kaya Kallas recently stated that over the next four years, Estonia plans to provide military support to Ukraine amounting to 0.25% of its GDP.
Additionally, Kallas proposed that partners could assist Ukraine in the war against Russia. Specifically, countries could contribute 0.25% of their GDP for financial support to Ukraine.
