President Karis in Ukraine

As part of his official visit to Ukraine, which has just come to an end, President Alar Karis met with his counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy and joined other European heads of state in marking 35 years of Ukrainian independence.

"Independence grants us the freedom to determine our own destiny and to shape our future," President Karis remarked. "Both Ukraine and Estonia know how complicated it has been to achieve this, and we have both fought - and continue to fight - against the same evil in our defence of it."

The head of state added that there is simply no other option. "This war must be won," he said. "The aggressor must be stopped and driven back. That requires sacrifice, and strength of spirit. But more than anything else, it demands unshakeable will. Ukraine's resilience, its grit and determination, are truly admirable."

In Kyiv yesterday, President Karis opened the WINWIN EdTech Center of Excellence, which was established with the support of the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), and delivered a speech at the EdTech Ukraine technology conference focusing on AI and the future of education.

Earlier in the day, the head of state had met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with whom he held a joint press conference. He then visited a residential area in Kyiv that had been hit by a missile and a rehabilitation centre to meet with doctors, nurses and rescue workers. In the evening, he gave a speech at a ceremony marking Ukrainian Independence Day.

Yesterday, President Karis and Sirje Karis took part in events marking 35 years of Ukrainian independence alongside President Alexander Stubb of Finland, President Gitanas Nausėda of Lithuania and President of the European Council António Costa.

Sirje Karis also attended the Sixth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen held under the aegis of First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, which focused on maintaining stability in uncertain times.

Gallery (Raigo Pajula/Office of the President): https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD36Ku

Joint press conference of heads of state of Estonia and Ukraine: https://ex.fex.net/s/coaznad

Press statement by President Karis: https://president.ee/et/ametitegevus/koned/58727

Address given by President Karis at Independence Day ceremony: https://president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/58729