Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas made her first official visit to Ukraine, meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy praised Estonia for their effort in rebuilding Ukraine and urged other partners to follow Estonia’s example.
Kallas was visiting the Zhytomyr region, which Estonia has pledged to help rebuild. “We were the first to become patrons of a region and one of the first to begin Ukraine’s restoration. Building a kindergarten is a very clear confirmation of our faith in Ukraine and Ukraine’s victory. Reconstruction is not something to be addressed in the future. We must help Ukraine to rebuild their country today,” Kaja Kallas said.
The first phase of the Ovruch kindergarten will be completed in June, ready to host 80 children. “I am pleased to announce today that we will expand the kindergarten by 4 more classrooms, accommodating a total of 160 children,” Kallas claimed.
In addition to the kindergarten, Estonia supports the reconstruction of the bridge in Malyn and, together with the Olena Zelenska Foundation, also participates in the construction of family-type group homes for orphaned Ukrainian children. According to the Prime Minister, all Estonian projects are designed as prototypes that can easily be modified and replicated elsewhere in Ukraine.
“Reconstruction, together with the EU integration, can give a significant boost to the Ukrainian economy. Ukraine has the potential to become one of the most successful economies in Europe in the future,” Kallas stressed.
Estonia is one of the first countries actively involved in rebuilding Ukraine, and through its initiative and successful projects seeks to inspire other countries to join reconstruction efforts.
Estonia’s contributions to rebuild Ukraine are organised by ESTDEV – Estonian Centre for International Development Cooperation in cooperation with the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other organisations from Estonian public and the private sector.
More information: [email protected]
Estonian Centre for International Development is a government foundation that manages and implements Estonia’s participation in international development cooperation and humanitarian aid projects, with the aim of increasing Estonia’s contribution to global security and sustainable development.
