Tallinn increases military support to Ukraine more than 1% of GDP

The Estonian government has agreed to a proposal by Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur to provide Ukraine with the country's largest military aid package to date.

As announced on January 19 by the Stenbock House (official seat of government in Tallinn), the country's military assistance to Ukraine is therefore increasing to €370 million, or just over 1% of Estonia's GDP, Estonian Public Broadcaster ERR reported.

The latest military aid package announced by Estonia will consist of weaponry including howitzers, ammunition, artillery support equipment as well as grenade launchers, according to a press release.

"Estonians know from their painful history what happens when evil triumphs and a large country swallows up smaller ones," Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said following the decision, emphasizing, that "if Ukraine falls, freedom is in danger elsewhere in the world as well. By helping Ukraine defend its independence, we are defending all countries' right to freedom and democracy, including Estonia's".

The prime minister noted on the fact, that Ukraine has asked for this help from Estonia directly when Ukrainian President Zelenskyy attended the recent meeting of the leaders of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in Riga.

Hanno Pevkur, Estonian defense minister warned that the toughest battles are yet to come. "We and our allies have a direct impact on the fighting capacity of Ukrainian soldiers, and that is highly valued in Ukraine. Therefore it is important to set an example and motivate other allies to provide assistance".

As the Estonian publication recalled, previous aid packages from Estonia to Ukraine have included Javelin anti-tank missiles, howitzers, anti-tank mines, anti-tank grenade launchers, mortars, vehicles, communications equipment, medical supplies, personal protective equipment such as helmets as well as dry food packages.

Estonia has also donated two field hospitals and medical supplies in cooperation with Germany, worth nearly €15 million. A third field hospital will be donated by Estonia to Ukraine in cooperation with the Netherlands and Norway, who supported the project with €7.8 million.

Estonia has appealed to the European Peace Facility (EPF) to receive funds for the replacement of its own military equipment.