Zelenskyy and First Lady to visit Estonia on June 9

On June 9, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska will visit Estonia. A meeting is scheduled with President Alar Karis and Prime Minister Kristen Mihalis, and the Ukrainian President will also participate in the Northern and Baltic Countries Cooperation Summit (NB8).

It was reported by ERR.

The meeting of the heads of state will focus on cooperation between Estonia and Ukraine, particularly the development of the defense industry. Also on the agenda are Ukraine’s path to the European Union and NATO, the future of European security, russia’s responsibility for aggression and war crimes, the return of children deported from Ukraine, and increasing pressure on russia.

"Ukraine has borne an extremely heavy burden in defending European security and has demonstrated courage and resilience that deserve the support of the entire democratic world. President Zelenskyy’s visit to Estonia comes at a time when we are strengthening the future of European security, and it is important that Ukraine and Europe be involved in all discussions that concern them,” Karis noted.

The Estonian President also confirmed that the country strongly supports Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and called Ukraine’s integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic security architecture a strategic investment in European security.

Meanwhile, the wife of the Estonian President, Sirje Karis, and the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, will meet with representatives from the fields of education and science and participate in the signing of memorandums of cooperation between Estonian universities and the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies. They will also visit the Estonian Center for International Development (ESTDEV), where they will be presented with an overview of joint projects between the center and the Olena Zelenska Foundation, which focus primarily on children and youth.

According to Prime Minister Kristen Michal, the countries of Northern Europe and the Baltic region have been among Ukraine’s most consistent supporters since the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression. Total aid from the NB8 countries exceeds EUR 42 billion, which, on a per-capita basis, is the largest contribution in the world.

In addition, Ukrainian Foreign Minister AndriI Sybiha will also visit Estonia to meet with his counterpart, Margus Tsakhna. As part of the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a joint discussion between the ministers will take place, followed by a ceremony to swear in the honorary consuls of Ukraine in Estonia — Allan Kaldoja and Siim Nellis.

Due to the meeting in the capital, significant traffic and parking restrictions will be temporarily in effect, disrupting the usual traffic flow. The police are asking drivers to be patient and allow extra time.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a private audience with King Charles III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The meeting took place on June 8 at Windsor Castle.