Estonia will organise a global Ukraine reconstruction conference in 2027

On July 3, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna presented a memorandum to the Cabinet concerning Ukraine’s reconstruction. This memorandum will serve as the foundation for Estonia’s reconstruction and development cooperation with Ukraine in the years to come.

“Estonia’s support for Ukraine is unwavering and it is important that Ukraine is a strong, resilient and innovative country, as it is crucial not only for the Ukrainian people, but also for the stability and security of Europe as a whole,” Foreign Minister Tsahkna said when presenting the memorandum.

Furthermore, Minister Tsahkna announced the organisation of a Ukraine Reconstruction Conference to be held in 2027.

“Ukraine’s reconstruction will be the largest strategic economic project in Europe in the coming decades, and it is critical for the Estonian state and our entrepreneurs to be involved right from the start,” the foreign minister said.

Since the onset of the war, Estonia has committed over €42 million toward Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts, with an allocation of €11 million planned for this year. The focus of Estonia’s reconstruction activities is primarily on the Zhytomyr Oblast. However, certain initiatives extend to encompass broader areas across Ukraine.

To date, Estonia has made significant contributions, such as the construction of a kindergarten in Ovruch, the reconstruction of the Malyn Bridge, and the development of four family houses intended for families with orphans. Additionally, Estonia has facilitated further training for 162 senior Ukrainian officials.

“The World Bank estimates that the cost of restoring infrastructure damaged by the war alone will amount to more than €500 billion,” Tsahkna said.

“Estonia is already at the forefront of the reconstruction of Ukraine. We ourselves have contributed around €7 million per year and we have also involved other countries in our projects, whose contribution has been around €15 million.”

Current initiatives include the construction of additional family houses and apartment buildings for internally displaced persons in Ovruch and Brusilev. Renovations are also underway for a youth centre in Malyn, the Berdychiv hospital, and residential buildings in the city of Zhytomyr.