Ukraine, Estonia top diplomats discuss peace efforts, EU integration

ISTANBUL

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and his Estonian counterpart Margus Tsahkna on Monday discussed diplomatic developments, coordinated peace efforts, and ways to accelerate Ukraine’s integration into the European Union, according to statements from both sides.

Sybiha said on X following their talkiver over the phone that he and Tsahkna agreed that “European unity is crucial to ensure our common security and global stability” and underlined the shared path of Ukraine and Moldova toward EU membership.

Tsahkna, for his part, reaffirmed Estonia’s “unwavering support” for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity ahead of an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Russia’s war against Ukraine.

“The aggressor must not be rewarded. It must face strong sanctions and be held accountable,” he said, adding that opening the first negotiation cluster for Ukraine and Moldova “must happen without delay.”

Ukraine and Moldova were granted EU candidate status in 2022, with accession talks formally launched in June 2024.