Estonian FM: Zelenskyy Wants to Attend Ukraine Recovery Conference in Tallinn

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200) said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to take part in the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Tallinn early next year, together with other world leaders. The conference, which aims to secure additional funding for Ukraine, is scheduled for January 28 and 29.

Media speculation recently suggested that Ukraine's top leadership might be unable to travel to Estonia at the end of January because of an expected difficult wartime winter. Tsahkna pushed back on this, saying Zelenskyy and Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal (Reform Party) have already signed personalized invitations to leaders.

Attendance depends on the situation

Speaking at the government's weekly press conference on Thursday, the minister said there is no longer any doubt about whether the conference will be held in Tallinn or at what level. It will be at the level of world leaders, he said, and Zelenskyy himself has invited them. Tsahkna acknowledged, however, that the president's attendance will depend on conditions in Ukraine in January. With three months to go, he said, preparations remain unchanged.

Funding goal

Tsahkna stressed that the talks are not about a few million but about billions. He hopes Zelenskyy will be there in person. If the situation in Ukraine were so drastic that the president could not attend, he said, that might help the conference reach its goal: contributions and commitments from other leaders would be even greater, as it would signal that the situation is very difficult.

The Ukraine Recovery Conference, URC27, will take place in Tallinn on January 28 and 29.