Defence
On 27 June 2024, Estonia and Ukraine signed a security cooperation agreement, reaffirming their commitment to mutual defence and support. The agreement sets out plans for continued military assistance and defence industry cooperation over the next ten years.
Since the beginning of Russia’ s full-scale invasion, Estonia has provided Ukraine with direct military assistance worth approximately €810 million. Military aid has included modern weapons systems such as Javelin anti-tank missiles and advanced artillery systems, with nearly €400 million spent on ammunition. Estonia has trained approximately 1,500 Ukrainian soldiers.
Including related costs, such as logistics for delivering assistance, the total volume of bilateral military support amounts to €820 million.
Estonia has joined NATO-led assistance mechanisms, including the Prioritized Ukraine Requirement List (PURL), which enables allies to jointly procure critical military equipment for Ukraine. Estonia has contributed €21 million and will continue funding the programme in 2026, focusing on air defence and ammunition.
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Civilian support
Between 2022 and 2025, Estonia's non-military assistance to Ukraine amounted to €326 million. Including planned contributions until 2027, the total rises to €421 million.
Cybersecurity
Estonia is a vocal advocate for strengthening cyber support to Ukraine. It provides bilateral cybersecurity expertise to help Ukraine protect its digital infrastructure, coordinates the Tallinn Mechanism civilian cyber assistance, and facilitates Ukraine’s accession to the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) in Tallinn.
Since December 2023, fourteen participants in the Tallinn Mechanism have together committed more than €300 million in civilian cyber assistance to Ukraine. Within this framework, Estonia has so far contributed €2.6 million. Together with Luxembourg, Estonia also co-leads the IT Coalition for Ukraine. 18 member countries of the coalition have collectively provided more than €1.3 billion in support to Ukraine. In 2025, Estonia contributed €8.75 million through the IT Coalition, including the procurement of Starlink communication systems worth €3.5 million, as well as ICT equipment tailored to Ukraine’ s needs. Estonia also supported the coalition by seconding procurement specialist from the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (RKIK) in 2024 and a cyber command expert in 2025.
Development cooperation & reconstruction in Ukraine
Estonia was among the first countries to begin the physical reconstruction of Ukraine. Estonia is focusing its efforts on the Zhytomyr Oblast, while in certain sectors support is also provided across Ukraine.
Since the beginning of the war, Estonia’ s public sector project-based funding has totalled €75,7 million.
In addition, as part of Estonia’s development cooperation in 2022–2023 (through ESTDEV and other partners), 29 projects were implemented in the fields of digital transition, education, good governance and entrepreneurship, with a total value of €13.25 million.
Estonia will host the global Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in 2027, with an expected approx 5,000 participants.
Priority areas of Estonia’s development cooperation in Ukraine
Democracy and good governance (including support for EU accession) – contributing to structural reforms, regional development, strengthening independent media, and involving civil society in governance and reform processes. Estonia has trained senior Ukrainian officials to support the EU accession process and strengthen the necessary knowledge base.
Entrepreneurship – supporting the development of start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and increasing employment.
Education – aligning the education system with labour market needs and developing digital competences
Projects
Key implemented projects:
a kindergarten in Ovruch, the Malyn bridge, four family houses for families with orphaned children, and training of 162 senior Ukrainian officials in EU integration.
Ongoing projects include:
family houses, apartment buildings for internally displaced persons in Ovruch and Brusyliv, renovation of a youth centre in Malyn, renovation of the intensive care unit of Berdychiv hospital, and renovation of residential buildings in Zhytomyr using factory-based reconstruction solutions.
Humanitarian assistance
Estonia’ s humanitarian aid to Ukraine in 2022–2025 amounts to approximately €6.7 million. With projected assistance until 2027 it amounts €8.7 million. Support has included:
- delivery of rescue equipment and demining machinery, as well as school repairs and renovation of centres for internally displaced persons
- multi-purpose cash assistance has been provided, along with educational projects implemented by partner organisations such as the Estonian Refugee Council, Mondo and the Rescue Board, as well as through the Estonian Red Cross and international organisations including UNHCR, OCHA and the ICRC
- support to Ukraine’s energy sector (approximately €3 million), as well as contributions by Estonian citizens and local governments
- bilateral humanitarian aid, including demining equipment, energy system repairs, transport vehicles, medical supplies and rescue equipment, as well as support for cash-based assistance and reconstruction of schools and IDP centres
Estonia also supports Ukraine’s humanitarian initiative “Grain from Ukraine”, aimed at addressing food insecurity caused by Russia’s aggression.
Ukrainian refugees in Estonia
Estonia has hosted approximately 71,000 war refugees from Ukraine, with the peak in 2024, when there were officially 60,414 Ukrainian citizens living in Estonia, accounting for 4.4% of the population. As of April 2026, 29 203 refugees held a temporary residence permit under temporary protection.
Temporary protection has been extended by an EU decision until March 2027. Compared to the 2022 peak, the number of refugees has decreased, as some have moved to other countries or returned to Ukraine.
Refugees are guaranteed emergency medical care in the event of a serious health condition and, if covered by health insurance, are entitled to planned general and specialist medical care.
Financial Support
Estonia’s financial support to Ukraine amounts to €88.22 million. Estonia also supports Ukraine through international funds and investment banks.
Estonia provided a guarantee of 10 million euros to the European Investment Bank (EIB) fund “EU for Ukraine”. Estonia, together with other EU member states, contributes to Ukraine’s financing, pays the interest on the EU’s macro-financial assistance+ (programme for economic stabilisation). Creation of a support system for Estonian industrial companies to operate in Ukraine and business missions of companies from various clusters €25.2 million.
Diplomatic support
Peace & territorial integrity
Estonia’s position is that any plan to end the war initiated by Russia must be in accordance with international law. The terms of peace must be acceptable to Ukraine and must guarantee its territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty.
Estonia firmly supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Estonia recognizes Ukraine’s right to defend its territory and demands the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces. Estonia participates in international initiatives and organisations (including the UN, NATO, EU and OSCE) that call for an end to Russia’s aggression and the liberation of occupied Ukrainian territories.
Sanctions
Together with other EU member states, Estonia has imposed sanctions against Russia, including trade restrictions and financial measures, and supports their continued expansion and strengthening, targeting the Russian economy and political elite.
The EU’s 20th sanctions package is currently in preparation and is expected to include additional visa bans and asset freezes, measures targeting shadow fleet vessels, possible restrictions on maritime services for vessels carrying Russian energy resources, as well as steps to prevent sanctions circumvention and limit imports of Russian metals and fertilizers.
Effective implementation is crucial, as increasingly complex sanctions raise the risk of circumvention. Estonia therefore works within the EU to ensure consistent enforcement and to prevent Russia from bypassing existing sanctions, particularly through transit via third countries.
Use of frozen assets
More than €260 billion worth of Russian frozen assets are held across G7 and EU countries. Approximately €210 billion of Russian Central Bank assets are frozen in the European Union – the largest share of all Russian assets frozen worldwide. . Estonia has approximately 37 million euros of frozen Russian assets.
Estonia seeks to put Russia’s frozen central bank assets to use for Ukraine’s benefit. The use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s benefit should complement, not replace, the continued support of member states themselves.
In 2024, Estonia enacted a law enabling the use of Russian and individual assets frozen under sanctions to compensate for war damages caused to Ukraine.
Accountability for war crimes
Estonia has consistently supported holding Russia accountable for its war of aggression against Ukraine. As the crime of aggression is not within the mandate of the International Criminal Court, Estonia considers it essential to establish an effective and viable special tribunal with broad UN support. Estonia calls on the international community to act towards this goal and expects the tribunal to be established without delay.
Estonia and Ukraine have cooperated with international organisations to collect evidence of war crimes and support on-site investigations. Independent investigative commissions have documented numerous human rights violations and war crimes.
Protection of human rights
Estonia emphasizes the need for international cooperation to address the situation of deported children and prisoners of war and to protect their rights. Estonia supports families who have fled to Estonia from Ukraine, including children affected by the war, and works to locate children forcibly deported by Russia, helping them return home and providing rehabilitation.
On 21 April 2022, the Riigikogu adopted the declaration “On the War Crimes and Genocide Committed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine”, recognizing the events in Ukraine as genocide against the Ukrainian people.
Estonia’s strategic objectives in support of Ukraine
Continued military assistance
Estonia will maintain its high position as a per capita provider of military assistance to Ukraine. The Government has decided to allocate 0.25% of GDP annually in 2024–2027 for military support to Ukraine (approximately €100 million per year). Of this, around €10 million in 2025 will be used for training Ukrainian soldiers and for Estonia’s contribution to the allied IT coalition led by Estonia. The remaining approximately €90 million will be used to procure equipment from Estonian defence industry companies to meet Ukraine’s military needs. In addition, for 2025 the Government of the Republic has decided to allocate an additional €25 million for the purchase of 10,000 rounds of ammunition for Ukraine.
Strengthening cyber resilience
Estonia will continue to develop the Tallinn Mechanism, which coordinates international cyber support and strengthens Ukraine’s resilience and response to cyber threats.
Integration into NATO & the EU
Estonia supports Ukraine’s integration into the European Union and NATO, emphasising the prospect of membership. We share our accession experience and support reforms and institutional development to strengthen Ukraine’s readiness to join Euro-Atlantic structures.
Future outlook (2026 and beyond)
Russia’s strategic objectives remain unchanged. Russia remains the most significant, direct and long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security. Ukraine continues to defend its freedom, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Our joint aim is to reach a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in accordance with international law.
Estonia has committed to providing a total of €1.41 billion in bilateral assistance to Ukraine by 2027. This includes military and civilian assistance, including humanitarian aid and development cooperation aimed at Ukraine’ s recovery beyond the end of the war.
Estonia will host the 6th Ukraine Recovery Conference in Tallinn in 2027, expected to attract approximately 5,000 participants from three sectors (public, private, civil society) from Ukraine and donor countries. The conference will focus on five dimensions – business, human, local, EU reforms, defence.
