Estonia to allocate GDP’s 0.25% to Ukraine’s defense in next four years

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has pledged to provide military aid to Ukraine equal to 0.25% of the country’s GDP for the next four years, urging other nations to match this level of support.

byYuri Zoria

09/01/2024

2 minute read

Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their meeting in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, on 24 April 2023. Credit: President’s Office of Ukraine.

Estonia to allocate GDP’s 0.25% to Ukraine’s defense in next four years

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas announced that since 2022, Estonia has supplied Ukraine with military aid valued at nearly 500 million euros. She affirmed that Estonia will maintain its support, committing to provide military aid equal to 0.25% of its gross domestic product for the next four years.

She said it at a press conference on 8 January after the regular meeting of the Estonian State Defense Council, noting that "It is also necessary for our security," according to ERR.

"Estonia's contribution to Ukraine's victory will amount to 0.25% of GDP over the next four years. If every country contributes 0.25%, that's what Ukraine needs to win this war," Kallas said, urging countries in Europe, North America, and elsewhere to follow suit.

Kallas also noted that in the following years, Estonia will also allocate 14 million euros a year for joint actions for the reconstruction of Ukraine and related decisions. The Estonian Prime Minister noted that many people are used to war, and in democratic countries, public opinion slows down decision-making. However, she said, there is a need for consistent advocacy in different countries about why it is essential to support Ukraine.

Estonia, alongside other Baltic nations, ranks among the most steadfast supporters of Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression.

In December 2023, Estonia announced a new €80 million aid package for Ukraine, inluding Javelin anti-tank missiles, machine guns, ammunition for light weapons, a variety of vehicles and vessels, and diving equipment. Estonia's Defense Ministry said the country trained over 1,300 Ukrainian soldiers, about one-sixth of the total number of its own conscripts, since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.