Zelensky awards Estonia's PM Kallas with Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky awarded the Order of Yaroslav the Wise to Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas during their joint briefing in Zhytomyr, Ukraine.
Ukrinform reports that President Zelensky and Prime Minister Kallas visited the northern city of Zhytomyr on Monday, April 24.
Zhytomyr City, the administrative center of the Zhytomyr region, was severely damaged by Russian bombardment and airstrikes in the first month of Russia's invasion. According to Zhytomyr authorities, over 2800 infrastructure facilities were damaged by Russia's war. About 213 objects are entirely destroyed. That includes schools, kindergartens, residential buildings, sports facilities, and energy objects.
The visit began with a meeting at the Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration, followed by a short briefing for journalists and a meeting with Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University students.
This is the first official visit of President Volodymyr Zelensky to the Zhytomyr region since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war, which began on February 24, 2022.
It's also the first visit of Prime Minister Kallas, whose country Estonia pledged to support the restoration of critical infostructure in the Zhytomyr region.
"Today, it is an honor for me to present you, on behalf of the entire Ukrainian people, with a special award of our people. This is the Order of Yaroslav the Wise. Thank you for the fact that Ukraine, your people, and your state are creating a new history of Europe together," Zelensky said.
Kallas thanked him and the Ukrainians for the award and stressed that this was her first visit abroad as the new head of government. She added that her presence in Ukraine symbolizes the support and faith of the Estonian government and the Estonian people in Ukraine.
"Freedom must overcome tyranny. This is our common motive, and this is our number one focus in terms of armaments, training, and ammunition," Kallas added. "All this must continue on a sufficient scale for Ukraine to win this war. It is also why I proposed to the EU a joint purchase of a million artillery shells for Ukraine and send them directly to Ukraine. The decision was already made in March, and now we must ensure it will be properly implemented."
As the media reported, Estonia considers military aid to Ukraine, which has reached 1% of the country's GDP, as an investment in its security.
