Estonia began providing Ukraine with anti-tank and small-arms weapons even before the start of the full-scale invasion of Russia. The country provided howitzers, ammunition, tens of thousands of small arms, and equipment. They also built field hospitals in which thousands of Ukrainian soldiers were saved. The military aid that Estonia has provided to Ukraine is about €400 million, which is more than a third of the Baltic country’s annual defense budget. On a per capita basis, Estonia’s defense assistance is one of the largest in the world. 

The government of Estonia was the first to support Ukraine in granting the status of a candidate for EU membership. Also, Ukraine has the support of the Baltic countries regarding its future status in the perspective of NATO membership. Estonia will never recognize Russia’s fictitious referendums and attempts at illegal “annexation” of any regions of Ukraine. In all issues, the country always shows solidarity with Ukraine, advocating for the strengthening of anti-Russian sanctions and the removal of barriers preventing the supply of weapons. Also, together with like-minded countries, it is intensively looking for opportunities to introduce effective sanctions against Russia and Belarus.

The Baltic countries provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine in the amount of more than €23 million. The humanitarian aid included almost the entire range of aid, except for military aid and finances for reconstruction: machines and equipment for rescuers, generators, financial aid for the purchase of fuel, basic necessities, computers and tablets, medicines, etc. At the same time, only €4.1 million is aid provided through state mechanisms, while the value of aid from the private sector and public initiatives reaches €19 million.

Estonia sent 27 buses to Ukraine – to help restore transport connections and help Ukrainians maintain normal daily life. The Estonian branch of the Lions club also bought 13 electric generators, which were sent to Ukraine, thanks to the funds collected as part of the “Light and heat to Ukraine” campaign. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, together with the Tallinn authorities, also plans to send two ambulances to Ukraine in the near future. 

The Ukrainian Charitable Foundation “BGV” together with the government of Estonia launched a joint program for free prosthetics and rehabilitation of Ukrainians who lost their limbs as a result of hostilities in Ukraine. Prosthetics of Ukrainians, mostly military personnel, is carried out in Tallinn, at the Ida-Tallinn Keskhaigla Hospital (East Tallinn Central Clinical Hospital). As part of the program, patients are manufactured and fitted with state-of-the-art bionic electronic prostheses that are individually adjusted to the needs of a specific user, which ensures full symmetry and naturalness of gait. The cost of one such prosthesis reaches €70-80 thousand. By the end of the year, the cooperation partners plan to organize prosthetics for 20 Ukrainian military and civilians who lost their limbs as a result of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

The Bank of Estonia transferred to the National Bank of Ukraine €354,000 received from the sale of coin cards dedicated to Ukraine and freedom. In 2022, just over 25,000 coin cards were purchased at a price of €18. They are most actively bought by residents of Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, Ukraine, France, Finland, Latvia, Spain, the USA, Slovakia and Italy. 

At the end of 2022, Estonia sent to Ukraine equipment for demining ammunition left by Russian troops in the de-occupied territories, worth more than €330,000. As of now, Estonia has conducted training for about 600 Ukrainian soldiers, two more large training missions are ongoing. One of the missions is part of the European Union training mission, while the other is purely Estonian, but also involves many European countries. In addition, Estonian instructors train medics and snipers.

Estonia became the first country to start the practical restoration of the Ukrainian region. The country allocated €6 million for the reconstruction of Ukraine and development projects, focusing on the Zhytomyr region (energy-efficient kindergarten in Ovruch, reconstruction of a bridge in Malyna, etc.).

The development of mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation also remains an important priority of the two countries.

The analysis of export and import operations of Dnipropetrovsk region with Estonia demonstrates a high level of partnership relations, because the specified state is an important trade partner of the region.

According to the results of 2022, the volume of exports of goods from Dnipropetrovsk region decreased by 11%, which amounted to $8.2 million. Among the goods that are in the greatest demand among Estonian consumers are ferrous metals and products, parts for railway locomotives, machines and equipment, agricultural products etc.

Export operations were carried out by 60 enterprises from Dnipropetrovsk region. The main exporting companies are enterprises of the metallurgical complex, agro-industrial complex, processing industry and machine-building enterprises.

TOP-5 exporting enterprises (ranking by volume of export products):

The import of goods from Estonia to Dnipropetrovsk region amounted to $10.4 million and decreased by 72% compared to 2021. Dnipropetrovsk region traditionally bought: food products, ferrous metals, mineral fuels, tannery extracts, etc.

Import operations were carried out by 52 importer enterprises.

TOP-5 enterprises of importers (ranking by volume of imported products):

Import operations were mainly carried out by trading, metallurgical, processing and food enterprises.

Source: information for the article is taken from open online sources