Estonian president 'proud of brave Ukrainians' after retaking Kherson
President of Estonia Alar Karis said on Friday that he was "proud" of the Ukrainians who brought Kherson, a formerly Russian-occupied city, back under Kyiv's control.
"I am proud of the brave Ukrainians bringing Kherson back under Ukrainian control. That's the way it should be. We stand by until they restore the country's full territorial integrity," Karis wrote on social media.
I am proud of the brave Ukrainians bringing Kherson back under Ukrainian control. That's the way it should be. We stand by until they restore the country's full territorial integrity. #SlavaUkraini!
— Alar Karis (@AlarKaris) November 11, 2022
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Kherson is "ours" after Russia's retreat from the city earlier today.
The city and the surrounding region was the first to be occupied after Russia's full-scale invasion on Feburary 24.
The loss of Kherson is one of Russia's biggest setbacks of the war so far - it was the only regional capital they had captured and occupied, the BBC reported.
Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba said retaking Kherson was "another important victory right now and proves that whatever Russia says or does, Ukraine will win".
"Russia is forever here", said a poster in Bilozerka near Kherson. Well, not really!
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) November 11, 2022
To everyone in the world, including ASEAN where I currently am: Ukraine is gaining another important victory right now and proves that whatever Russia says or does, Ukraine will win. pic.twitter.com/8bc4JGNajX
Kallas: "Moved to tears"
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reform) reacted to the news by saying she was "moved to tears".
"I am moved to tears to witness freedom returning to Kherson, Ukrainians hugging their soldiers, and blue and yellow flags raised.
"Estonians are watching your bravery with pride and a deep feeling of solidarity and support," she wrote on social media.
I am moved to tears to witness freedom returning to #Kherson, Ukrainians hugging their soldiers, and blue and yellow flags raised.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) November 12, 2022
Estonians are watching your bravery with pride and a deep feeling of solidarity and support. @Denys_Shmyhal @ZelenskyyUa #SlavaUkraini
On Saturday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa) spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart to congratulate him on the victory in Kherson and discussed establishing a special tribunal.
He also said Estonia was sending more humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Spoke with my friend @DmytroKuleba & congratulated him on behalf of #Estonia for the liberation of #Kherson. We talked about the need to establish a special tribunal to hold Russia accountable.
— Urmas Reinsalu (@UrmasReinsalu) November 12, 2022
is sending more humanitarian aid to to help prepare for tough times ahead. pic.twitter.com/pj76H3X6c4
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Editor: Helen Wright
