Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva held online consultations with the newly appointed Adviser to the President of the Republic of Estonia on Foreign Affairs Celia Kuningas-Saagpakk.
The interlocutors positively noted the high dynamics of the dialogue between the countries and the mutual readiness for further comprehensive development of bilateral relations, which have the level of interstate partnership.
Ihor Zhovkva spoke about the security situation in Donbas, in particular, about the systematic violations of the ceasefire, the growing number of dead and wounded Ukrainian servicemen, Russia's keeping of the military contingent along the Ukrainian-Russian border.
Celia Kuningas-Saagpakk stressed the invariability of Tallinn's firm support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Particular attention was paid to the development of the situation in the temporarily occupied Crimea and the importance of strengthening security in the Black Sea region, especially in view of Russia's blockade of access to the Sea of Azov and parts of the Black Sea.
"We are grateful to the Estonian side for its active involvement in the activities of the Crimea Platform created on the initiative of the President of Ukraine, as well as Estonia's prompt appointment of a contact person as a coordinator of interaction with the Platform's office in Kyiv," Ihor Zhovkva said.
The interlocutors discussed in detail the cooperation between the two countries in the context of implementing Ukraine's strategic course towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
Celia Kuningas-Saagpakk noted the continued support of Estonia for Ukraine's European perspective, as reflected in the Joint Statement of the countries signed in May 2021. She also stressed the importance of continuing the implementation by the Ukrainian state of an ambitious course of reforms, which will certainly result in membership in the European Union.
For his part, Ihor Zhovkva thanked his interlocutor for Estonia's effective support of Ukraine's European integration strategy and said: "We are confident that the new President of Estonia Alar Karis will support Ukraine's movement towards EU membership."
In addition, Ihor Zhovkva informed the interlocutor about the main results of the EU-Ukraine Summit and the expectations of the Ukrainian side from the forthcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in December 2021, primarily in terms of the Associated Trio's aspirations to deepen and intensify cooperation with the EU. Celia Kuningas-Saagpakk praised the idea of creating an "Associated Trio" and the importance of the persistent movement of associate partners through the path of reforms.
During the video conference, the diplomatic advisers coordinated their positions on the further algorithm of high-level bilateral dialogue activities.
The interlocutors also touched upon the epidemic situation in Ukraine and Estonia and the steps taken by both countries in the context of counteracting the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring the vaccination of citizens with a quality certified vaccine.