First Ladies Highlight Estonia’s Role in Ukraine’s Recovery

First Ladies Olena Zelenska of Ukraine and Sirje Karis of Estonia visited the Zhytomyr region, which Estonia has been actively involved in reconstructing since 2022.

This statement was made on Zelenska’s official Telegram channel, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

“Estonia became the first country to undertake the restoration of an entire Ukrainian region, the Zhytomyr region. This commitment was made in 2022, following the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano. The initiative was part of the Ukrainian President's call to involve international partners in rebuilding war-affected regions,” Zelenska noted.

"Today, I personally thank my colleague, First Lady of Estonia Sirje Karis, as we visit the Zhytomyr region together," Zelenska stated.

She emphasized Estonia's focus on rebuilding infrastructure, as well as educational and social facilities in the region.

"When the Foundation began constructing new homes for large foster families who had lost their homes as a result of Russian attacks, Estonia was among the first to join the Address of Childhood project. With the support of the Republic of Estonia, we built a house for a family from the Donetsk region,” Zelenska noted.

She said that Estonia later expanded the initiative independently, constructing three additional houses. On April 30, the First Ladies of Ukraine and Estonia welcomed a family of newcomers into one of these homes.

Zelenska noted that the Foundation's team played a key role in identifying a family and selecting a plot for the house.

"We hope to implement many more joint projects for children and adults in the region together. And, as always, we collaborate with Ms. Karis on the permanent platform of the First Ladies and Gentlemen Summit," Zelenska stated.

She also announced that the summit will take place in Kyiv for the fifth time this autumn. "As usual, it will not only address a problem relevant to Ukraine and the world but will also seek effective solutions," she added.