The Military Order of Merit of the Cross of the Eagle, First Class is the highest military honour awarded by Estonia. This is the first time it has been awarded since the country regained its independence.
“Wars are won by soldiers, who deserve our utmost respect and gratitude,” the head of state remarked. “Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are currently defending their nation against Russia’s aggression. When I say ‘Ukrainian soldiers’, I mean everyone who is contributing to the defence of the country: the armed forces, special units, territorial defence, volunteers and those sustaining the military industry. They are all soldiers of Ukraine.”
President Karis expressed his admiration for the bravery the Ukrainians have shown in standing up to Russia’s aggression for the last 10 years. “Despite the horrors they have witnessed, the loved ones they have lost, the towns and cities whose ruins they have walked in, the homes they have seen burn to the ground and the endless onslaughts they have faced, ordinary Ukrainians remain as willing to defend their nation as ever, and the determination of the country’s soldiers to repel these attacks is unwavering,” he said.
“In this brutal war instigated by Russia, we are all allies fighting for freedom on that great battlefield,” the head of state added. “Because in attacking Ukraine, Russia is attacking all democratic countries: theirs is an attack on all of us. The war is not something we can become accustomed to, and will not resolve itself. The solution – which is to say the aggressor’s withdrawal – demands a joint effort from all democratic nations. Ukraine must be given what its soldiers need to defend their country.”
