Estonian PM in Kyiv: 'Ukraine must receive everything it needs' as NB8 summit convenes

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal arrived in Kyiv on August 23 for a Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) summit with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, delivering a message of unwavering support as Ukraine marked its National Flag Day. Michal, whose country holds the NB8 presidency this year, will co-chair the summit of Nordic-Baltic and Ukrainian leaders with Zelenskyy.

"Ukraine must receive everything it needs to defend itself and resist Russian aggression," Michal said upon arrival, according to a press release reported by ERR. He specified that "everything Ukraine needs" primarily means more air defense, more ammunition, and greater investment in Ukraine's defense industry. "At the same time, we must increase pressure on Russia, strengthen sanctions and close the loopholes Russia uses to evade them," he added.

Michal's one-day visit comes amid intensifying Russian attacks on Kyiv and Ukraine, and stalled diplomatic efforts. "This year marks 35 years since Estonia restored its independence and Ukraine declared its independence. Both our countries secured the right to decide their own future. Today, Ukraine is defending that right on the battlefield while standing up for the freedom and security of all Europe," he said.

The Estonian leader also highlighted assistance for the coming winter: "We are helping Ukraine prepare for winter and protect and restore critical energy infrastructure, which remains under threat because of Russia's brutality." While in Kyiv, Michal is scheduled to meet Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi to discuss bilateral relations and preparations for the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Tallinn in January.

Visit to Damaged Kyiv District

Earlier in the day, Michal, along with members of the Estonian delegation and Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine Andrii Danyk, visited Kyiv's Lukianivka district, an area devastated by Russian missile and drone strikes, as reported by Ukrinform, citing Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs. Interior Minister Ivan Vyhivskyi, who accompanied the group, said that in May this year Russian forces completely destroyed a shopping mall and damaged dozens of residential buildings.

"I told Kristen Michal about that strike," Vyhivskyi said. "At the time, units of the Interior Ministry system, including police officers and rescuers, were simultaneously working at more than 60 locations across the capital." He briefed the foreign guests on Russia's daily attacks on civilian infrastructure, noting that Russian forces struck railway infrastructure three times that day alone, attacked energy infrastructure, and damaged a confectionery plant owned by an American corporation.

Vyhivskyi expressed gratitude to the government and people of Estonia for their unwavering support, citing systematic material and technical assistance and training for Ukrainian specialists. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also visited one of the damaged sites in Kyiv, according to Ukrinform.

NATO's Strength and Russia's 'Cognitive Warfare'

Following the summit, Michal offered a security assessment that was both reassuring and cautionary. "NATO is working well. Russia's assessment of NATO's power and strength is at a level where they know — it is not worth attacking," he said, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "This means that NATO and European countries can feel confident; there is no direct threat... But the Russians are doing everything they can to make everyone worry about them rather than Ukraine."

The prime minister predicted more hybrid attacks across the European Union and called for vigilance. He characterized Russian President Vladimir Putin as a former "grandmaster of cognitive warfare," but said that now "the ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga are burning," and that Putin's "cognitive warfare" is falling apart. He echoed a question often posed by his Finnish colleagues: "what will a rat do when it is cornered?"

Michal called for increased investment in defense, Ukrainian technologies, and the defense industry, including drone agreements. "Ukraine's future is in the European Union and NATO," he stressed, adding that "we must give everything we have and bring Ukraine into the EU and NATO."

He also pushed back against those who argue sanctions are ineffective and that it would be more beneficial to lift them and resume business with Russia. Michal said there is "not a single healthy part" of the Russian economy, but pressure must continue — including keeping assets frozen, pursuing "shadow fleet" vessels, and "fighting everyone who has been involved in the conflict on Russia's side." In a pointed message to Russians, he said: "Stay in Russia, wait for the tribunal."

The summit brought together leaders of Ukraine, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, and Norway, with Sweden joining online. A joint press conference is expected to outline outcomes and new commitments.

Russia, for its part, insists any deal must reflect "realities on the ground" — a reference to its control of around one-fifth of Ukrainian territory. Russia continues long-range strikes on Ukrainian cities, while Ukraine has expanded its own deep strikes inside Russia, according to ERR.