Karis begins Ukraine visit on Independence Day to support Ukrainians

President Alar Karis and his wife, Sirje Karis, have begun a visit to Ukraine to mark the country’s Independence Day and express Estonia’s continued support for the Ukrainian people, ERR reported. Karis is due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and attend Independence Day events.

“Independence means that no one else decides your future. The Ukrainian people prove this every day by standing bravely and united against Russian aggression. We are in Ukraine on its Independence Day to pay tribute to the Ukrainian people’s desire for freedom. The Ukrainian people must be able to shape their future freely and without fear,” Karis said.

Sirje Karis will take part in the sixth summit of spouses of heads of state, led by Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska. The summit will focus on maintaining stability in uncertain times.

At the summit in Kyiv, President Karis will discuss with other heads of state how to strengthen the resilience and recovery capacity of the country and the world more effectively and quickly.

Prime Minister Kristen Michal also travelled to Kyiv. Together with Zelenskyy, he will lead a summit of Nordic-Baltic Eight and Ukrainian leaders and attend events connected with Ukraine’s State Flag Day.