The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is visiting Estonia, where he has met the Estonian president, Alar Karis, before joining the prime ministers of the Nordic and Baltic countries for a summit focused on Ukraine, defence and European security; Estonian World will broadcast the joint press conference with Zelenskyy and the Nordic-Baltic leaders live from Tallinn.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Alar Karis at Kadriorg on 9 June. The two presidents discussed Estonia-Ukraine cooperation, Ukraine’s path towards the European Union and NATO, the future of European security, Russia’s responsibility for aggression and war crimes, the return of Ukrainian children deported by Russia and ways to increase pressure on Moscow.
After the meeting, Karis said Ukraine’s place was in the EU and NATO and called for the rapid opening of all clusters in the EU-Ukraine accession negotiations.
“Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and NATO is not a distant hope for the Ukrainian people but a justified expectation,” Karis said. “Estonia supports the rapid opening of all clusters in the EU-Ukraine accession negotiations – already this month.”
Estonian World will broadcast the joint press conference with Zelenskyy and the Nordic-Baltic leaders live from Tallinn at the conclusion of the summit.
Karis calls for stronger pressure on Russia
At a joint press conference with Zelenskyy, Karis said Estonia and Ukraine understood one another “without words”, bound by similar history and a shared view of the future.
He recalled meeting Ukrainian war veterans in Narva who had described themselves as “a bulletproof vest for Europe”. Ukraine, he said, had kept “dark brutality” away from Europe.
Karis said the pressure on Russia must increase, including through the enforcement of existing sanctions and stronger measures against Russian energy carriers and their transport. He also warned against attempts to normalise Russia’s return to international sport and culture while it continues its war against Ukraine.
The Estonian president, Alar Karis, welcomes the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Tallinn on 9 June 2026. Photo by Raigo Pajula.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meets the Estonian president, Alar Karis, at Kadriorg in Tallinn on 9 June 2026. Photo by Raigo Pajula.
Karis said Europe must be ready, when the time comes, to sit at the negotiating table with a common mandate and jointly formed positions. He repeated the principle: “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, nothing about Europe without Europe.”
Zelenskyy joins the Nordic-Baltic summit
Zelenskyy’s visit continues with talks with the Estonian prime minister, Kristen Michal, and his participation in the Nordic-Baltic Eight summit. Estonia holds the presidency of the Nordic-Baltic cooperation format this year.
Michal said the Nordic and Baltic countries had been among Ukraine’s most steadfast supporters since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. According to the Estonian government, the combined support provided by the NB8 countries exceeds €42 billion, making the region’s contribution the largest in the world on a per capita basis.
“I am pleased that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine will join us,” Michal said ahead of the summit. “Supporting Ukraine is one of the main priorities of Estonia’s NB8 presidency. We will discuss how to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities, increase pressure on Russia and make Europe as a whole more secure.”
The summit is focusing on Ukraine’s defence capabilities, pressure on Russia, European security, competitiveness, artificial intelligence and regional security. It is expected to result in two joint statements: one by the Nordic-Baltic prime ministers and another on enhanced security and defence cooperation between the NB8 countries and Ukraine.
First ladies focus on education and children
Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Estonian president, Alar Karis, and Estonia’s First Lady, Sirje Karis, at Kadriorg in Tallinn on 9 June 2026. Photo by Raigo Pajula.
Zelenskyy is accompanied by Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska. She and Estonia’s First Lady, Sirje Karis, are meeting representatives of the education and research sectors and attending the signing of memoranda of cooperation between Estonian universities and the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies.
They are also visiting the Estonian Centre for International Development, where they are being briefed on cooperation projects between the centre and the Olena Zelenska Foundation, with a particular focus on children and young people.
