Estonia pledges further military aid to Ukraine

Estonia's Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur has promised Ukraine further military aid during a visit to Kiev.

The Baltic EU and NATO country will support the Ukrainian army with weapons and equipment worth €20 million ($21.8 million) in the fight against Russia, Pevkur told his counterpart Rustem Umerov.

The aid package is to include anti-tank guns, explosives, various types of ammunition for artillery and smaller calibre weapons, sniper equipment, and gas masks.

"We put this package together focussing on providing the maximum benefit to Ukraine while making sure to not diminish Estonian defence readiness," said Pevkur.

“The overview that Defence Minister Umerov gave us about the situation on the battlefield confirmed that this package is very much needed," Pevkur said, according to the statement.

It also showed that, with summer approaching, Ukraine primarily needed ammunition and air defence systems, but also spare parts and electronic warfare equipment, he said.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for over two years and is largely dependent on Western support for military equipment. Estonia is one of Ukraine's staunchest supporters.