Estonia, with only about half the population of Greater Vancouver, serves as a great example that any nation, large or small can make a difference, just like any one single person can.
To date:
Estonia, relative to its GDP, has donated more military aid to Ukraine than any other country – a fully one-third of its approximately 1 Billion $ CAD military budget. It also is offering medical & psychological assistance, relocation to Estonia & other essentials.
Over 37,000 refugees from Ukraine have fled to Estonia. The majority are women and children. Ukrainians are now the second-biggest ethnic minority in Estonia, making up over 2.5% of the population.
While military and financial support is undoubtedly most important, help has also been moral and spiritual. Just some examples are:
- A petition just started to rename the address of the Russian embassy building in Tallinn to “Free Ukraine 1”
- A Ukrainian refugee's ‘Slava Ukraini' design was chosen for a new Estonian €2 coin
- Estonia has become the temporary home to the Ukraine men’s volleyball team which is preparing for the world championships.
- A “Ukrainian Cultural Day” will take place On May 28th in Tallinn where Estonia-based Ukrainians will share their culture and traditions
- Estonia will help rebuild the Zhytomyr Oblast, accepting President Zelensky’s call for allies to pick regions to help rebuild post-war.
- Estonians and Ukrainians share the love of music and singing and on May 22nd a choir of over 10,000 singers will be assembled in Tallinn to sing the iconic and beautiful Ukrainian tune “Oi u luzi chervona kalyna” (“The Red Viburnum in the Meadow”)
Just 2 days ago at the opening of the Lennart Meri Conference in Estonia which brings together international defence experts and decision makers, the virtually attending Ukrainian deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishaja had to suddenly take shelter due to air raid siren warnings. The Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas remarked “this illustrates in black and white what is at stake. There are moments in history when your actions must be immediate. Ukraine does not have time to wait – we have to act now and decisively. Ukraine must win this war and the aggressor must lose. We cannot give in to war ‘complacency’ nor believe in false hopes of peace. Russia is the greatest threat to the world order of Democracy”
Let us keep her words in mind and maintain our support to Ukraine in its historic battle against the forces of evil, destruction and hate. After over 80 days of senseless war, we must, more than ever, ensure that our support is maximum, continual and unwavering.
Ukraine shall Win!
Slava Ukraini!
Aarne Tork, Vancouver, May15th 2022
PHOTOS – A. Jaugelis ©2022
