From 16 to 20 March, representatives of the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine, led by Director Ihor Ostash, were on a study visit to Tallinn (Estonia). The visit took place at the invitation of the Estonian School of Diplomacy as part of the joint project ‘Ukraine’s European Path’, which is supported by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV).
The programme began with engaging discussions on security and geopolitics, featuring Kristi Raik, Director of the International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS), followed by a discussion on Estonia’s experience in developing e-services and the practical aspects of building digital governance at the e-Estonia Briefing Centre.
One of the highlights was a seminar by Märt Volmer on "International Negotiations in a Rapidly Changing Geopolitical Context: Lessons from the EU Accession Process and Effective Communication."
Participants also met with key officials to discuss Estonia’s cooperation with Ukraine and progress towards EU accession.
At the Riigikogu – the Estonian Parliament – a meeting took place with Marko Mihkelson, a Member of the Estonian Parliament and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, who shared insights on Estonia’s position in a turbulent world and strategies for small-state navigation. A significant part of the discussion focused on Estonia’s cooperation with Ukraine and achieving a fair and sustainable peace.
A meeting was held at the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Gert Antsu, Former Ambassador to Ukraine and Director of the Ukraine, Moldova, and South Caucasus Division, focusing on EU accession and Estonia’s cooperation with Ukraine.
The programme also included discussions on business diplomacy with Roman Vinartshuk, Former Diplomat and Advisor at BLRT Grupp AS, and on digital governance at the E-Governance Academy with Hannes Astok, Executive Director and Chairman of the Management Board.
The visit concluded with a roundtable at the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Estonia with Volodymyr Boiechko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Estonia, and Ambassador Taavi Toom, providing a platform for open dialogue on ongoing cooperation.
Alongside the programme, participants enjoyed the "Crossing Cultures" concert at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, organised by the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Estonia and the British Embassy in Tallinn. This year’s concert marked the 4th anniversary of the Ukrainian people’s heroic resistance to the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion and also served as a gesture of gratitude to the Republic of Estonia and its people for their consistent and comprehensive support for Ukraine.
During the visit, further development of cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine and the Estonian School of Diplomacy was also discussed, with the participation of the academies’ directors — Ihor Ostash and Ekke Nõmm.
We sincerely thank all speakers for their openness and for sharing practical insights, making this visit a truly memorable experience.
Special thanks to the Estonian School of Diplomacy for its long-standing cooperation with the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine, and to the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) for supporting joint Ukrainian-Estonian projects!